Saying 100: Give Caesar What Is Caesar’s
Shown a gold coin and told that Caesar's people demand taxes, he answers: give Caesar what belongs to Caesar, give God what belongs to God, and give me what is mine.
Commentary
The third clause is Thomas’s own addition and it changes everything: a two-part division of loyalties becomes a three-part one, with a claim that sits outside both empire and temple.
Parallels
Mark 12:13–17; Matthew 22:15–22; Luke 20:20–26
Sayings on the same themes
- Saying 65 Saying 65: The Wicked Tenants A man leased his vineyard to farmers. He sent a servant for the produce and they beat him; he sent another and…
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- Saying 81 Saying 81: Let the Powerful Renounce Let whoever has become rich reign, and let whoever has power renounce it.
- Saying 29 Saying 29: Spirit Dwelling in Poverty If flesh came into being because of spirit that is a marvel; if spirit because of the body, a marvel of marvels.…
- Saying 95 Saying 95: Do Not Lend at Interest If you have money, do not lend it at interest; give it to someone who will not pay you back.
- Saying 31 Saying 31: No Prophet in His Own Village No prophet is welcome in his own village; no doctor heals the people who know him.