Mark 12:13. To catch him— 'Αγρευσωσι is a metaphorical word, borrowed from the chase, and signifies to run down, or to take a prey in hunting. Some render it, to make a prey of; and Dr. Heylin, to ensnare. See Matthew 22:16. read more
Mark 12:16. Superscription?— Inscription. Doddridge. read more
13. And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees—"their disciples," says Matthew ( :-); probably young and zealous scholars in that hardening school. and of the Herodians—(See on :-). In :- these willing tools are called "spies, which should feign themselves just [righteous] men, that they might take hold of His words, that so they might deliver Him unto the power and authority of the governor." Their plan, then, was to entrap Him into some expression which might be construed into... read more
14. And when they were come, they say unto him, Master—Teacher. we know that thou art true, and carest for no man; for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth—By such flattery—though they said only the truth—they hoped to throw Him off His guard. Is it lawful to give tribute to Cæsar, or not?—It was the civil poll tax paid by all enrolled in the "census." See on :-. read more
15. Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy—"their wickedness" (Matthew 22:18); "their craftiness" (Luke 20:23). The malignity of their hearts took the form of craft, pretending what they did not feel—an anxious desire to be guided aright in a matter which to a scrupulous few might seem a question of some difficulty. Seeing perfectly through this, He said unto them, Why tempt ye me?—"hypocrites!" bring me a penny that I may see it—"the tribute money" (Luke 20:23- :). read more
16. And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image—stamped upon the coin. and superscription?—the words encircling it on the obverse side. And they said unto him, Cæsar's. read more
17. And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Cæsar the things that are Cæsar's—Putting it in this general form, it was impossible for sedition itself to dispute it, and yet it dissolved the snare. and to God the things that are God's—How much is there in this profound but to them startling addition to the maxim, and how incomparable is the whole for fulness, brevity, clearness, weight! and they marvelled at him—"at His answer, and held their peace" ( :-), "and left Him, and went their way"... read more
Sanhedrin members took the initiative in sending the Pharisees and Herodians. They united against Jesus, whom they perceived as a common threat, even though they disagreed politically. They asked Jesus about a political issue that divided them. read more
Jesus’ teaching about the poll tax 12:13-17 (cf. Matthew 22:15-22; Luke 20:20-26) read more
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Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Mark 12:17
And Jesus said unto them, Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's. And they marveled greatly at him.Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's ... is the basis of the Christian's concept of the state and his obligations to the secular government. The principle uttered here by the Lord was elaborated by the apostles in Romans 13:1-7; 1 Timothy 2:1-6; and 1 Peter 2:13-17. For an essay on "The Christian's Relation to the State," see my... read more