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Gospel for the Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

October 18, 2026 · Matthew 22:15-21

Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar

Some men ask Jesus a trick question about taxes. He answers that we must give Caesar what is his, and give God what is God’s. This Sunday is also the 100th World Mission Sunday. Matthew 22:15-21

Liturgical color: green

This Sunday’s Gospel, in everyday words

The Pharisees got together to find a way to trap Jesus in his own words. Matthew 22:15

They sent some of their disciples to him, along with some Herodians, the supporters of King Herod’s family. Matthew 22:16

They called him Teacher and asked him whether it was lawful or not to pay the tax to Caesar, the emperor of Rome. Matthew 22:16-17

Jesus saw their bad intentions and asked them why they were testing him. Matthew 22:18

He asked for the coin used to pay the tax, and they showed him a denarius. Matthew 22:19

Jesus asked them whose image and inscription were on the coin. They answered that they were Caesar’s. Matthew 22:20-21

Jesus told them to give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God. Matthew 22:21

What the Bible says

Matthew 22:15-21

15Then the Pharisees going, consulted among themselves how to insnare him in his speech. 16And they sent to him their disciples with the Herodians, saying: Master, we know that thou art a true speaker, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou dost not regard the person of men. 17Tell us therefore what dost thou think, is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? 18But Jesus knowing their wickedness, said: Why do you tempt me, ye hypocrites? 19Shew me the coin of the tribute. And they offered him a penny. 20And Jesus saith to them: Whose image and inscription is this? 21They say to him: Caesar’s. Then he saith to them: Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God, the things that are God’s.

Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.

The other readings at Mass

First Reading

God chooses Cyrus, a foreign king who did not know him, to help his people Israel. That way everyone will know there is no other God. Isaiah 45:1, 4-6

Responsorial Psalm

We sing a new song to the Lord, and we ask all the nations to recognize his glory and his power. Psalm 96:1, 3-5, 7-10

Second Reading

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy write to the Christians in Thessalonica. They thank God for their faith, their love, and their hope. 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5b

The full readings for this day, from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops: bible.usccb.org

What the Church teaches

World Mission Sunday

This Sunday it is celebrated for the 100th time. Pope Pius XI started it in 1926. In many countries it is called DOMUND. On this day we pray for the missions and collect gifts for them.

Message of Pope Leo XIV for the 100th World Mission Day (vatican.va)

“One in Christ, united in mission”

This is the theme Pope Leo XIV chose for this year. He asks us to pray for missionaries and to help them with whatever each of us can give.

Message of Pope Leo XIV for the 100th World Mission Day (vatican.va)

Caesar and God

The Church teaches that Christians pay their taxes and do their duties as citizens. But they must not follow an order that goes against the moral law or against the Gospel.

Catechism 2240 and 2242

The color green

In Ordinary Time the priest wears green.

General Instruction of the Roman Missal 346

To read with your children

Some men wanted to trap Jesus with a question. Matthew 22:15

They asked him if people had to pay taxes to the emperor. Matthew 22:17

Jesus asked them to show him a coin. Matthew 22:19

The coin had the picture of Caesar, the emperor, on it. Matthew 22:20-21

Jesus said that we must give God what belongs to him. Matthew 22:21

And what would you like to give God this week?

To talk about as a family

  1. Jesus did not fall into the trap. Has anyone ever asked you a hard question? What did you do?
  2. What do we give to our country? And what do we give only to God?
  3. For the child: if you gave God a gift today, what would you give him?

This week

This week, pray together once for the missionaries who tell people about Jesus far from home. If your parish has a collection for the missions, decide together what you will give.

To pray

Lord Jesus, everything we have comes from God. Help us to do our duties each day and to put God first. Watch over the missionaries who proclaim you all over the world. Amen.

Who is in it?