Lectionary 29, Year A
Proper 24 The Sunday between October 16 and October 22 Revised Common Lectionary, Year A, the year of Matthew Green
Next read on .
The Gospel: Matthew 22:15–22
The Pharisees and Herodians try to trap Jesus with a question about taxes; he tells them to give Caesar what is Caesar’s and God what is God’s.
What is going on
Two groups who usually disagree, the Pharisees and the supporters of King Herod, work together to trap Jesus.
They ask whether it is right to pay taxes to the Roman emperor. Yes would anger the crowd, and no would anger Rome.
Jesus asks whose picture is on the coin. Then he says: give the emperor what belongs to the emperor, and give God what belongs to God.
Matthew 22:15-22
Most churches stand for the Gospel, and sing or say a short response before and after it.
The passage
15 Then the Pharisees went and took counsel how they might entrap him in his talk. 16 They sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are honest, and teach the way of God in truth, no matter whom you teach, for you aren’t partial to anyone. 17 Tell us therefore, what do you think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” 18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test me, you hypocrites? 19 Show me the tax money.” They brought to him a denarius. 20 He asked them, “Whose is this image and inscription?” 21 They said to him, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Give therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” 22 When they heard it, they marveled, and left him, and went away.
World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →
The other readings
In the order they are read on Sunday, before the Gospel.
Isaiah 45:1-7
The LORD calls Cyrus his anointed and promises to go before him for Israel’s sake, so all may know there is no God besides the LORD.
Read it here
1 The LORD says to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have held, to subdue nations before him, and strip kings of their armor; to open the doors before him, and the gates shall not be shut: 2 “I will go before you and make the rough places smooth. I will break the doors of bronze in pieces and cut apart the bars of iron. 3 I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that it is I, the LORD, who call you by your name, even the God of Israel. 4 For Jacob my servant’s sake, and Israel my chosen, I have called you by your name. I have given you a title, though you have not known me. 5 I am the LORD, and there is no one else. Besides me, there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not known me, 6 that they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is no one besides me. I am the LORD, and there is no one else. 7 I form the light and create darkness. I make peace and create calamity. I am the LORD, who does all these things.
World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →
Psalm 96:1-9 [10-13]
A call for all the earth to sing a new song to the LORD, proclaim his glory, and worship him.
Read it here
1 Sing to the LORD a new song! Sing to the LORD, all the earth. 2 Sing to the LORD! Bless his name! Proclaim his salvation from day to day! 3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples. 4 For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised! He is to be feared above all gods. 5 For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. 6 Honor and majesty are before him. Strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. 7 Ascribe to the LORD, you families of nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. 8 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to his name. Bring an offering, and come into his courts. 9 Worship the LORD in holy array. Tremble before him, all the earth. 10 Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns.” The world is also established. It can’t be moved. He will judge the peoples with equity. 11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice. Let the sea roar, and its fullness! 12 Let the field and all that is in it exult! Then all the trees of the woods shall sing for joy 13 before the LORD; for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, the peoples with his truth.
World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy thank God for the Thessalonians, whose faith, love, and joy in hardship have become an example to believers everywhere.
Read it here
1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the assembly of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 We always give thanks to God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers, 3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and perseverance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father. 4 We know, brothers loved by God, that you are chosen, 5 and that our Good News came to you not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and with much assurance. You know what kind of men we showed ourselves to be among you for your sake. 6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all who believe in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For from you the word of the Lord has been declared, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone out, so that we need not to say anything. 9 For they themselves report concerning us what kind of a reception we had from you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead: Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.
World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →
Some congregations follow the RCL’s other track this Sunday, which reads an Old Testament book straight through over several weeks: Exodus 33:12–23 and Psalm 99 in place of the first reading and psalm above.
A question to carry into the week
The coin carries the emperor’s image, and people are made in God’s image. What belongs to God?
For your newsletter or sermon notes
This reading is told as a story on our sister site, Free Scripture, one scene at a time in plain words. The lines below are ready to paste. The next eight Sundays, and every story.
Lectionary 29 (Proper 24) · Revised Common Lectionary, Year A · the same Sunday at the Vanderbilt Divinity Library. Scripture text: World English Bible, public domain.
A provisional alternative for this day
The Consultation on Common Texts has commended alternative readings to the churches for a three-year trial, reexamining passages historically misused to justify violence against Jews. The ELCA helped shape the work and encourages congregations to test it through 2028. The readings above remain the authorized ones. This is what the trial would change.
- Second reading
- Acts 10:34-43
Peter in the house of Cornelius.
The proposal (CCT) Preaching guidance (ELCA)
Provisional alternative readings commended by the Consultation on Common Texts for trial use, 2025–2028. Citations as published in a worship resource copyright © 2025 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, reproduced for local, nonsale use.
Revised Common Lectionary copyright © 1992 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org Used by permission.