Original Word: νόμισμα
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: nomisma
Pronunciation: NO-mis-mah
Phonetic Spelling: (nom'-is-mah)
KJV: money
NASB: coin
Word Origin: [from G3543 (νομίζω - supposed)]

1. what is reckoned as of value (after the Latin numisma), i.e. current coin

money.

From nomizo; what is reckoned as of value (after the Latin numisma), i.e. Current coin -- money.

see GREEK nomizo

Word Origin
from nomizó
Definition
a custom, current coin
NASB Translation
coin (1).

STRONGS NT 3546: νόμισμα

νόμισμα, νομισματος, τό (νομίζω, which see);

1. anything received and sanctioned by usage or law (Tragg., Aristophanes).

2. money (current) coin (cf. our lawful money): Matthew 22:19 (and in Greek writings from Euripides, and Aristophanes down).

Historical Setting of Coinage in First-Century Judea

Roman occupation brought an intricate monetary system into Palestine. Local copper leptons circulated alongside the Tyrian shekel required for Temple dues, while the Roman denarius (bearing Caesar’s portrait) served as the official imperial tax medium. The physical presence of the emperor’s image on these silver coins reinforced political dominance and, to devout Jews, raised questions of idolatry. Against this background the single New Testament appearance of νόμισμα (Matthew 22:19) becomes especially vivid, highlighting tensions between earthly governance and covenant loyalty.

The Moment in Matthew 22

When Pharisees and Herodians sought to ensnare Jesus with the question, “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” He replied, “‘Show Me the coin used for the tax.’ So they brought Him a denarius” (Matthew 22:19). The term νόμισμα pinpoints that specific tax coin. Jesus’ simple request accomplishes three things:

1. It forces His interrogators to admit their own acceptance of imperial currency, undermining any charge of disloyalty He might face.
2. It draws attention to the coin’s image and inscription, preparing the ground for His famous pronouncement, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21).
3. It turns a political trap into a theological revelation, teaching that civic obligations and divine devotion are not mutually exclusive, yet clearly prioritized.

Theological Significance

1. Divine Ownership versus Human Authority
• The coin bears Caesar’s image; humanity bears God’s (Genesis 1:27). Jesus’ logic is that what is stamped with Caesar’s likeness rightly returns to him, while that which reflects God must be surrendered wholly to the Creator.
2. Kingdom Priorities
• Jesus neither endorses insurrection nor blind nationalism; He upholds lawful submission where it does not violate fidelity to God (cf. Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-17).
3. Conscience and Worship
• By handling the denarius Himself, Jesus shows that contact with secular objects need not defile; moral contamination arises from misplaced allegiance, not mere physical interaction (Mark 7:18-23).

Comparison with Other Monetary Terms

Scripture employs diverse words for money: ἀργύριον (silver, Matthew 26:15), δηνάριον (denarius, Matthew 20:2), δραχμή (drachma, Luke 15:8), στατήρ (stater, Matthew 17:27). Only νόμισμα is used in Matthew 22:19, and its rarity underscores the episode’s focus on legal tender versus spiritual tribute.

Old Testament Echoes

Temple taxation (Exodus 30:13) required a half-shekel “as an offering to the LORD,” distinguishing sacred giving from compulsory levies. The confrontation in Matthew 22 recalls Israel’s long history of balancing covenant responsibilities with foreign dominance—Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia—and affirms that faithfulness transcends changing political landscapes.

Ministry and Discipleship Applications

1. Stewardship Teaching
• Believers should budget for both civic dues and regular, generous offerings to God’s work (2 Corinthians 9:7).
2. Citizenship and Witness
• Respectful compliance with lawful authorities enhances gospel credibility (Titus 3:1-2).
3. Conscience Issues
• Where government demands contradict God’s commands, Acts 5:29 governs: “We must obey God rather than men.” The coin episode equips pastors to address these tensions with balanced biblical counsel.

Illustrative Uses for Preaching and Teaching

• Object Lesson: Present a modern coin, note its image and inscription, and parallel the call to bear and display Christ’s image (2 Corinthians 3:18).
• Discussion Starter: “What belongs to God that I am tempted to reserve for myself?” Move from taxes to time, talents, and heart allegiance.
• Evangelistic Angle: Jesus’ brilliance in Matthew 22 invites seekers to encounter the Lord who transcends political controversies and speaks to the deepest issues of worship.

Patristic and Historical Reception

Early Christian writers such as Tertullian and Augustine cited Matthew 22 to defend both paying taxes and resisting emperor worship. During the Reformation, the passage informed doctrines of the “two kingdoms,” guiding believers under varying regimes.

Conclusion

Strong’s Greek 3546 (νόμισμα) surfaces only once, yet that single appearance powerfully frames Christian duty toward earthly authorities and supreme devotion to God. Recognizing the coin’s historical realities and Jesus’ theological depth equips believers to navigate money, politics, and worship with clarity and faithfulness.

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