When the Pharisees and Herodians tried to trap Jesus with a question about whether it was lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, Jesus asked them to show Him a denarius (the Roman coin used to pay the tax). He then asked whose image and inscription were on it. When they answered "Caesar's," Jesus replied: "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's" (Matthew 22:21, Mark 12:17, Luke 20:25).
This response was masterful because the questioners were trying to force Jesus into a dilemma. If He said taxes should not be paid, He could be accused of sedition against Rome. If He said they should be paid, He might lose popularity with Jews who resented Roman occupation. Jesus' answer transcended both positions by establishing that civic obligations and obligations to God are not mutually exclusive. Citizens have duties to the governing authorities, and they also have higher duties to God.
The other options misrepresent Jesus' teaching. He did not say to pay only the temple tax, nor did He call taxes sinful. He also did not say to give everything to God in the sense of refusing all civic duty. His teaching balanced earthly responsibilities with spiritual devotion.
