King James Bible
"Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?"
The questioners frame their trap in terms of Jewish law (Torah), attempting to force Jesus into a position where he must choose between religious authority and Roman rule. The phrase reveals their strategy of making this a matter of religious obligation rather than mere political preference. The tribute was a poll tax paid directly to Rome, symbolizing subjugation to a pagan empire—deeply offensive to Jewish nationalists. This specific tax, paid with coins bearing Caesar's image, raised questions about idolatry and collaboration with occupiers. The binary framing leaves no middle ground: answering 'yes' would alienate Jesus from those hoping for liberation from Rome, while 'no' could bring charges of sedition. This calculated either-or question seeks to destroy Jesus' credibility regardless of his response.