Bible Dictionary
Tribute Money
Tribute money was the coin required for payment of an imperial tax. In Jesus’ discussion with His opponents, it referred to the lawful coin used for the Roman poll tax.
Definition
Tribute money was the coin required for payment of an imperial tax, specifically the lawful currency used for the Roman poll tax.
Biblical Usage
The term appears in Jesus’ discussion of the coin used to pay the imperial tax.
Historical Background
The phrase means “the coin of the tax” and refers to current money accepted for the poll tax.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Smith's Bible Dictionary
[Taxes; Tribute]
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>(to nomisma tou kensou (Mt 22:19), "the coin used in payment of the imperial taxes"): Lit. "the lawful money of the tax," which, in the case of the poll tax, had to be paid in current coin of the realm (see Mt 17:27).</p>