Keraia
Mark 12

Mark 12:16

Paying Taxes to Caesar · Mark 12:13–17
Read Mark 12

Translations

Modern
So they brought it, and He asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they answered.
Traditional
And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Cesar’s.
Literal
And they brought it. And He says to them, “Whose image is this—and the inscription?” And they said to Him, “Caesar’s.”
Latin
At illi attulerunt ei. Et ait illis: Cujus est imago hæc, et inscriptio? Dicunt ei: Cæsaris.

Interlinear

Greek
English
So they brought it, and He asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they answered.

Notes

Mark 12:16

The picture and title on the coin were almost certainly of Tiberius Caesar, who ruled from AD 14 to 37. The inscription (words written on the coin) said, “Tiberius Caesar Augustus, Son of [the] Divine Augustus” on one side and “High Priest” on the other.

Mark 12:13–17

After they failed to question the authority of Jesus, his enemies tried to turn the people against him. From the beginning, it is clear that the Pharisees and the supporters of Herod (see 3:6) were not sincere. They were trying to trap Jesus so he would say something that could lead to his arrest.

The question Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not? was carefully planned. It put Jesus in a difficult situation where any answer seems wrong. If he said yes, the people might turn against him, because they hated Roman rule and taxes. If he said no, he could

Theme notes and profiles

The Pharisees

Events

Parallels

Matthew 22:15–22 Luke 20:19–26

People

Tiberius: Roman emperor during Jesus' ministry and death

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Mark, Gospel of

Topics

Citizens: Duties of Jesus, the Christ: Tested by the Pharisees and the Herodians Satire of Jesus Against Hypocrites Tribute: Roman: Christ Showed to the Pharisees and Herodians the Propriety