12:13 Then 1 they sent some of the Pharisees 2 and Herodians 3 to trap him with his own words. 4 12:14 When they came they said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are truthful and do not court anyone’s favor, because you show no partiality 5 but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. 6 Is it right 7 to pay taxes 8 to Caesar 9 or not? Should we pay or shouldn’t we?” 12:15 But he saw through their hypocrisy and said 10 to them, “Why are you testing me? Bring me a denarius 11 and let me look at it.” 12:16 So 12 they brought one, and he said to them, “Whose image 13 is this, and whose inscription?” They replied, 14 “Caesar’s.” 12:17 Then Jesus said to them, “Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” 15 And they were utterly amazed at him.
12:28 Now 16 one of the experts in the law 17 came and heard them debating. When he saw that Jesus 18 answered them well, he asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” 12:29 Jesus answered, “The most important is: ‘Listen, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 12:30 Love 19 the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ 20 12:31 The second is: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 21 There is no other commandment greater than these.”