What Does Matthew 22:21 Mean in the King James?
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.
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 verb translated “render” means “give back,” so Jesus makes the question one of what belongs to each claimant.
THE MEANING
The verse speaks now: a ruler may have a real claim without that claim becoming the only one. What is due to Caesar is returned, while what belongs to God remains under God’s claim.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It undoes the belief that one authority’s claim must erase every other claim.
THE ROOT
ἀπόδοτε
apodote
GROWS FROM
δο-/δω- (do-/dō-)
Give, grant; in this compound, give back or repay.
English “render” can sound like simply handing something over, but ἀπόδοτε (apodote, “give back”) carries the sense of returning what is due. The same giving-root also forms ἀνταποδίδωμι (antapodidōmi, “repay in return”), revealing that the verse distinguishes claims by what is owed to each.
ALSO GROWS
didōmi: Give, grant.
δίδωμι
This is the giving-root within the verse’s verb: the act begins with giving.
apodidōmi: Give back, repay, render.
ἀποδίδωμι
This compound names the verse’s action: giving in response to what is due.
antapodidōmi: Give in return, repay.
ἀνταποδίδωμι
The same root can describe a return that answers an earlier claim or act.
THE PATTERN
A rightful claim receives its due without erasing the greater belonging that holds all things.
A Psalm of David. The earth is the LORD’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.THE THREAD
Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.Romans repeats ἀποδίδωμι (apodidōmi, “give back, repay”), the root of “render” here. The echo extends Jesus’ answer: return what is due to each, without confusing a ruler’s due with God’s claim.
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