unfoldingWord_en_tn/luk/20/21.md

## but you teach the truth about the way of God ##

This is part of what the spy was saying that they knew about Jesus.

## are not influenced by anyone ##

Possible meanings are 1) "you tell the truth even if important people do not like it" (UDB) or 2) "you do not favor one person over another." (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

## Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar ##

They hoped that Jesus would say either "yes" or "no." If he said "yes," then the Jewish people would be angry with him for telling them to pay taxes to a foreign government. If he said "no," then the religious leaders could tell the Romans that Jesus was teaching the people to break the Roman laws.

## Is it lawful ##

They were asking about God's law, not about Caesar's law. This can also be translated "Does our law permit us."

## Caesar ##

Because Caesar was the ruler of the Roman government, they could refer to the Roman government by Caesar's name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])