| 21. Linguistic Exegesis The dialogue begins with the plural verb legousin {λέγουσιν | lé-gou-sin} ‘they say,’ with autō {αὐτῷ | au-tō} ‘to him’ marking Jesus as the recipient. The genitive Kaisaros {Καίσαρος | Kaí-sa-ros} ‘of Caesar’ shows possession in the question. The adverb tote {τότε | tó-te} ‘then’ introduces Jesus’ reply, shifting to the singular verb legei {λέγει | lé-gei} ‘he says’ to focus on His response. The decisive aorist imperative apodote {Ἀπόδοτε | a-pó-do-te} ‘give back’ issues a direct command, linked by the inferential oun {οὖν | oûn} ‘therefore.’ Two balanced accusative–dative parallelisms—ta Kaisaros Kaisari {τὰ Καίσαρος Καίσαρι} and ta tou theou tō theō {τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ τῷ θεῷ}—contrast secular and divine spheres of obligation, underscoring distinct domains through chiastic structure. |