Mat 22:20 | TNotes | STEP | 22:20 The poll tax had to be paid using the denarius coin, which bore the picture and title of Caesar. Old Testament prohibitions against images (Exod 20:4 ; Lev 26:1 ; Deut 4:15-24 ) made the use of this coin controversial among Jews (see Josephus, War 2.9.2-3). Some Roman procurators apparently produced coins without images for use in Palestine in order not to offend the Jewish conscience.

bExod 20:4►

cLev 26:1►

dDeut 4:15-24►

‏ Matthew 22:20

22:20 ^a The poll tax had to be paid using the denarius coin, which bore the picture and title of Caesar. Old Testament prohibitions against images (Exod 20:4 ^b; Lev 26:1 ^c; Deut 4:15-24 ^d) made the use of this coin controversial among Jews (see Josephus, War 2.9.2-3). Some Roman procurators apparently produced coins without images for use in Palestine in order not to offend the Jewish conscience.