What Does Luke 20:22 Mean in the King James?
Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Cæsar, or no?
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The word translated “give” opens toward “render back,” turning a tax question into a question of rightful claim.
THE MEANING
This question brings the boundary between permission and obligation into view for you now. A demand for tribute does not justify itself; the question of what may rightly be given remains open. The verse holds that tension without resolving it.
THE ROOT
δοῦναι
dounai
GROWS FROM
δο- (from δίδωμι, didōmi)
to give, grant, or put
English “give” can sound like a one-way transfer, but this Greek word belongs to a family that also means giving back, rendering what is due, and sharing. That connection presses the question of whose claim makes tribute rightfully owed; the word itself does not settle the answer.
ALSO GROWS
apodidōmi: give back, repay, render
ἀποδίδωμι
The reply in Luke 20:25 uses this related verb, shifting the wording from giving tribute to rendering what is due.
metadidōmi: share, impart
μεταδίδωμι
This related word shows the same giving family can describe sharing what one has, widening the verb beyond payment.
THE PATTERN
Giving becomes a question of what is rightfully due to each claimant.
And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Cæsar the things which be Cæsar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s.They say unto him, Cæsar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Cæsar the things which are Cæsar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.THE THREAD
And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Cæsar the things which be Cæsar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s.The question uses δοῦναι (dounai), “to give”; the reply uses ἀπόδοτε (apodote), “render” or “give back,” from the same verb family. That shift opens the question of what is owed to each claimant.
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