# Is “Render unto Caesar” in the Bible?

> Yes. “Render unto Caesar” comes from the Bible, from Matthew 22:21.

Source: https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/render-unto-caesar
By Andrew Kittridge · November 9, 2026

Jesus says it when asked whether Jews should pay taxes to the Roman emperor.

## The verse

> They told him, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “So pay back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and pay back to God what is God’s.”
>
> — [Matthew 22:21](https://www.lumin.faith/read/matthew/22#21) (Lumin Translation)

The saying is not word for word. It shortens or reshapes the verse.

## What it means there

The question was a trap. Jesus asks whose face is on the coin, then says to give Caesar what is Caesar’s and God what is God’s.

## Also in the Bible

> Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God.” And they were utterly amazed at him.
>
> — [Mark 12:17](https://www.lumin.faith/read/mark/12#17) (Lumin Translation)

> He said to them, “Then give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God.”
>
> — [Luke 20:25](https://www.lumin.faith/read/luke/20#25) (Lumin Translation)

## Common questions

### Is “Render unto Caesar” in the Bible?

Yes. “Render unto Caesar” comes from the Bible, from Matthew 22:21. The saying is not word for word. It shortens or reshapes the verse. Jesus says it when asked whether Jews should pay taxes to the Roman emperor.

### Where in the Bible is “Render unto Caesar”?

In Matthew 22:21, and also Mark 12:17 and Luke 20:25. In the Lumin Translation, Matthew 22:21 reads: “They told him, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “So pay back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and pay back to God what is God’s.””

### Who said “Render unto Caesar”?

Jesus says it when asked whether Jews should pay taxes to the Roman emperor.

### What does “Render unto Caesar” mean in the Bible?

The question was a trap. Jesus asks whose face is on the coin, then says to give Caesar what is Caesar’s and God what is God’s.

## More

- [Is “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/the-spirit-is-willing-but-the-flesh-is-weak.md)
- [Is “To everything there is a season” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/to-everything-there-is-a-season.md)
- [Is “Weighed in the balance and found wanting” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/weighed-in-the-balance-and-found-wanting.md)
- [Where is “For I know the plans I have for you” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/for-i-know-the-plans-i-have-for-you.md)
- [Where is “My grace is sufficient for you” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/my-grace-is-sufficient-for-you.md)
- [Where is “No weapon formed against you shall prosper” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/no-weapon-formed-against-you-shall-prosper.md)
- [Where is “Peace I leave with you” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/peace-i-leave-with-you.md)
- [Where is “Your word is a lamp to my feet” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/your-word-is-a-lamp-to-my-feet.md)
- [Check any word or a whole song](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-verse-checker)