All the answers for life are found in God’s Word and taxes are no exception. Have you ever wondered what the Holy Scriptures say about taxes? Then our collection of 10 Bible Verses about taxes in the Bible will be a blessing for you.
Taxes in the Bible
- Romans 13:6-7 Why Christians pay taxes Bible verse
- Matthew 22:17:21 Scripture passage about taxes in the Bible
- Romans 13:1;6-7 Apostle Paul says Christians must pay taxes
- Matthew 17:24-27 Bible passage on paying taxes
- Luke 3:12-13 Jesus saying that tax collectors should not steal more than is due
- Mark 12:13-17 KJV Paying Taxes in the Bible
- Matthew 17:27 Jesus pays taxes with a coin in a fish mouth Bible passage
- FAQ about Taxes in the Bible
- More Bible Study Verses on Paying Taxes for Christians
Romans 13:6-7 Why Christians pay taxes Bible verse
Romans 13:6
(ESV)Â For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing.
(KJV)Â For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
(MSG) That’s also why you pay taxes—so that an orderly way of life can be maintained.
(NIV)Â This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing.
(NLT)Â Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do.
Romans 13:7
(ESV) Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.
(KJV) Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
(MSG) Fulfill your obligations as a citizen. Pay your taxes, pay your bills, respect your leaders.
(NIV) Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
(NLT) Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.
Matthew 22:17:21 Scripture passage about taxes in the Bible
Matthew 22:17
(ESV) Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”
(KJV)Â Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?
(MSG)Â So tell us honestly: Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
(NIV)Â Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?”
(NLT) Now tell us what you think about this: Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
Matthew 22:18
(ESV) But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites?
(KJV)Â But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?
(MSG)Â Jesus knew they were up to no good. He said, “Why are you playing these games with me? Why are you trying to trap me?
(NIV)Â But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me?
(NLT) But Jesus knew their evil motives. “You hypocrites!” he said. “Why are you trying to trap me?
Matthew 22:19
(ESV) Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius.
(KJV)Â Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.
(MSG)Â Do you have a coin? Let me see it.” They handed him a silver piece.
(NIV)Â Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius,
(NLT) Here, show me the coin used for the tax.” When they handed him a Roman coin,
Matthew 22:20
(ESV) And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?”
(KJV)Â And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?
(MSG) “This engraving—who does it look like? And whose name is on it?”
(NIV)Â and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”
(NLT) he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?”
Matthew 22:21
(ESV) They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
(KJV) They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.
(MSG) They said, “Caesar.” “Then give Caesar what is his, and give God what is his.”
(NIV) “Caesar’s,” they replied. Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
(NLT) “Caesar’s,” they replied. “Well, then,” he said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”
Romans 13:1;6-7 Apostle Paul says Christians must pay taxes
Romans 13:1
(ESV)Â Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.
(KJV)Â Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
(MSG)Â Be a good citizen. All governments are under God. Insofar as there is peace and order, it’s God’s order. So live responsibly as a citizen.
(NIV)Â Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
(NLT)Â Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.
Romans 13:6
(ESV)Â For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing.
(KJV)Â For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
(MSG) That’s also why you pay taxes—so that an orderly way of life can be maintained.
(NIV)Â This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing.
(NLT)Â Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do.
Romans 13:7
(ESV)Â Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.
(KJV)Â Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
(MSG)Â Fulfill your obligations as a citizen. Pay your taxes, pay your bills, respect your leaders.
(NIV)Â Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
(NLT)Â Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.
Matthew 17:24-27 Bible passage on paying taxes
Matthew 17:24
(ESV) When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax went up to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the tax?”
(KJV)Â And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?
(MSG)Â When they arrived at Capernaum, the tax men came to Peter and asked, “Does your teacher pay taxes?”
(NIV)Â After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?”
(NLT) On their arrival in Capernaum, the collectors of the Temple tax came to Peter and asked him, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the Temple tax?”
Matthew 17:25
(ESV) He said, “Yes.” And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others?”
(KJV)Â He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?
(MSG) Peter said, “Of course.” But as soon as they were in the house, Jesus confronted him. “Simon, what do you think? When a king levies taxes, who pays—his children or his subjects?”
(NIV) “Yes, he does,” he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?”
(NLT) “Yes, he does,” Peter replied. Then he went into the house. But before he had a chance to speak, Jesus asked him, “What do you think, Peter? Do kings tax their own people or the people they have conquered?”
Matthew 17:26
(ESV) And when he said, “From others,” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free.
(KJV)Â Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.
(MSG)Â He answered, “His subjects.” Jesus said, “Then the children get off free, right?
(NIV)Â “From others,” Peter answered. “Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said to him.
(NLT) “They tax the people they have conquered,” Peter replied. “Well, then,” Jesus said, “the citizens are free!
Matthew 17:27
(ESV) However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.”
(KJV)Â Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
(MSG)Â But so we don’t upset them needlessly, go down to the lake, cast a hook, and pull in the first fish that bites. Open its mouth and you’ll find a coin. Take it and give it to the tax men. It will be enough for both of us.”
(NIV)Â “But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”
(NLT) However, we don’t want to offend them, so go down to the lake and throw in a line. Open the mouth of the first fish you catch, and you will find a large silver coin. Take it and pay the tax for both of us.”
Luke 3:12-13 Jesus saying that tax collectors should not steal more than is due
Luke 3:12
(ESV) Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?”
(KJV)Â Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?
(MSG)Â Tax men also came to be baptized and said, “Teacher, what should we do?”
(NIV)Â Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?”
(NLT) Even corrupt tax collectors came to be baptized and asked, “Teacher, what should we do?”
Luke 3:13
(ESV) And he said to them, “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.”
(KJV)Â And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.
(MSG) He told them, “No more extortion—collect only what is required by law.”
(NIV)Â “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them.
(NLT) He replied, “Collect no more taxes than the government requires.”
Mark 12:13-17 KJV Paying Taxes in the Bible
Mark 12:13-17 KJVÂ And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words. Â (14)Â And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? Â (15)Â Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it. Â (16)Â And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar’s. Â (17)Â And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marvelled at him.
Matthew 17:27 Jesus pays taxes with a coin in a fish mouth Bible passage
Matthew 17:27
(ESV) However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.”
(KJV) Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
(MSG) But so we don’t upset them needlessly, go down to the lake, cast a hook, and pull in the first fish that bites. Open its mouth and you’ll find a coin. Take it and give it to the tax men. It will be enough for both of us.”
(NIV) “But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”
(NLT) However, we don’t want to offend them, so go down to the lake and throw in a line. Open the mouth of the first fish you catch, and you will find a large silver coin. Take it and pay the tax for both of us.”
FAQ about Taxes in the Bible
No. The tithe is a tenth of one’s income given voluntarily to support the work of the Lord. It is not a tax, and it is not required by law. There’s no easy answer to this question since it involves a complex mix of religious and legal history. However, I’ll try to give a brief overview that might help clarify things.
The Old Testament concept of tithes (giving 10% of ones income to the church) is derived from the biblical idea of the tithe being holy to the Lord. In other words, it was seen as a way of honoring God with our finances. Over time, this practice became formalized and institutionalized, particularly in the Jewish tradition. However, there’s also an important legal element to consider. In many societies throughout history, including ancient ones, taxes were often based on a percentage of one’s earnings or produce.
The Bible is clear that lying is a sin. And while there are different interpretations of what constitutes a “lie” (Is it OK to stretch the truth? What about white lies?), most Christians would agree that deliberately trying to avoid paying taxes would be considered a form of dishonesty and would therefore be sinful.
That said, it’s important to remember that we all make mistakes, and everyone falls short of God’s standards from time to time. If you’ve lied about your taxes in the past, don’t beat yourself up – simply repent and ask for forgiveness. Then commit yourself to being truthful in the future, and pray for guidance on how to better follow God’s laws.
Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s. Matt 22:21 King James Version Answer: The Bible actually has quite a lot to say about taxes! In the Old Testament, God calls on His people to give a tithe, or 10%, of their income to support the Levites and other religious officials (Numbers 18:21-24). This tithe was seen as an offering to God, and was given willingly and joyfully. In the New Testament, we see Jesus paying taxes (Matthew 22:17-21), and we also see Paul encouraging believers to pay their taxes (Romans 13:6-7). From these passages, it is clear that paying taxes is not only a civic duty, but it is also an act of worship. We are called to render unto Caesar what is Caesar
Tax collectors were considered by the Jews to be traitors and sinners because they worked for the Roman government and collected taxes from their fellow countrymen. But Jesus showed compassion for them and said that they would enter the kingdom of heaven ahead of other people. He even ate with them, which was very scandalous at the time. Jesus’s kindness towards tax collectors was controversial, but it was also a sign of his willingness to reach out to everyone, regardless of their reputation or social status. He wanted to show everyone that they were loved and valued by God, no matter what they had done in the past.
Jesus said “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s.” This commandment is often misunderstood. Some people think it means we should keep our religious beliefs to ourselves and not impose them on others. Others think it means we should obey the government no matter what. But when Jesus said this, he was actually answering a question about taxes. The Jews were trying to trick Jesus into saying something they could use against him. They wanted to know if they should pay taxes to the Roman government or not.
Jesus answered their question by telling them to give both the government and God what they were owed. He didn’t mean that we should ignore our religious beliefs or blindly
Matthew was a tax collector. Tax collectors were considered traitors because they worked for the Roman government and collaborated with their occupation of Israel. As a result, tax collectors were despised by the people and typically had a very low social status.
This is a great question! I don’t know for sure if there will be taxes in Heaven, but I imagine that there might be some type of system in place where we are all responsible for taking care of the place and each other. After all, we will be living in close proximity to each other and will need to ensure that the space is kept up and running smoothly. Think about it this way: if everyone were to simply do what they wanted without regard for others, it would be complete chaos! There would be no order or structure, and things would quickly fall apart. However, if we all worked together to maintain Heaven and took care of each other, it would be a beautiful paradise that we could enjoy
There are no taxes in Hell because it’s a place of eternal torment and suffering. The only thing you’ll be paying for is your own ticket! There may or may not be taxes in Hell, but one thing is for sure: it’s a hot place and the tax laws are probably quite different from what we’re used to on Earth!
There were no taxes in the Old Testament people of Israel, because they were a theocracy.
Under a theocracy, all government power is vested in God or a religious authority. The people of Israel lived under a theocratic government until they rejected God and asked for a king (1 Samuel 8). After that, they were subject to the same kind of taxation as other nations around them.