Bible Verses About Caesar And Civil Authority

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.

Main Bible text saying authority comes from God.

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.

Main Gospel text on tribute to Caesar.

Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

Explicitly says resisting rulers resists God's ordinance.

And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's.

Luke's version of the tribute command.

Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

Apostolic command to submit to the emperor.

And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar's.

Gives the coin-image context for the saying.

Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

Short apostolic command that matches the same distinction.

For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

Explains rulers as not a terror to good works

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.

Later Gospel parallel of the same saying.

Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

Summarizes tribute and honor as civil dues.

Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar's.

Coin context behind the tribute teaching.

And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?

Direct question that led to the tribute saying.

And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye them that know them not.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

Says the ruler is God's minister.

Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

Shows the same obedience idea in Titus.

A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.

Shows governors as sent for good order.

Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.