MRK 12:13-17

Paying Taxes to Caesar

13And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and Herodians to trap him in his speech. [12:14] They came and said to him, "Teacher, we know that you are truthful and do not defer to anyone, for you do not look at the outward appearance of people but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay or should we not?" [12:15] But knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, "Why are you testing me? Bring me a denarius and let me look at it." [12:16] They brought one. And he said to them, "Whose image and inscription is this?" They said to him, "Caesar's." [12:17] Jesus said to them, "Give back to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." And they marveled at him.

In the world it was spoken into

In 1st-century Judea, the question of paying taxes to Caesar was deeply political and religious. Roman taxation was a symbol of subjugation, and the denarius bore Caesar’s image and inscription, which many Jews saw as idolatrous. The Pharisees and Herodians, typically opposed factions, collaborated here to trap Jesus. The Pharisees resented Roman rule, while the Herodians benefited from Roman patronage. By asking whether it was lawful to pay taxes, they forced Jesus into a dilemma: affirming taxes would alienate Jewish nationalists; denying them would risk charges of sedition. Jesus’ response, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s,” subverted their trap. The denarius, a Roman coin, symbolized Caesar’s authority, but Jesus redirected the focus to God’s ultimate sovereignty. This answer upheld Roman law without compromising Jewish loyalty to God, exposing the hypocrisy of His questioners.

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How other translations render this

MRK 12:13

KJV: And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words.
BSB: Later, they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to catch Jesus in His words.
Koinōnos: And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and Herodians to trap him in his speech.

MRK 12:14

KJV: And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, 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: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?
BSB: “Teacher,” they said, “we know that You are honest and seek favor from no one. Indeed, You are impartial and teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay them or not?”
Koinōnos: They came and said to him, "Teacher, we know that you are truthful and do not defer to anyone, for you do not look at the outward appearance of people but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay or should we not?

MRK 12:15

KJV: Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it.
BSB: But Jesus saw through their hypocrisy and said, “Why are you testing Me? Bring Me a denarius to inspect.”
Koinōnos: But knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, "Why are you testing me? Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.

MRK 12:16

KJV: And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar’s.
BSB: So they brought it, and He asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesarʼs,” they answered.
Koinōnos: They brought one. And he said to them, "Whose image and inscription is this?" They said to him, "Caesar's.

MRK 12:17

KJV: And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marvelled at him.
BSB: Then Jesus told them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesarʼs, and to God what is Godʼs.” And they marveled at Him.
Koinōnos: Jesus said to them, "Give back to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." And they marveled at him.

Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.

Translator's notes

MRK 12:13

they may catch:The word translated 'they may catch' literally means to hunt or fish, implying a deliberate and cunning attempt to trap someone, much like snaring an animal.

MRK 12:14

not:The term used here for 'not' carries the sense of 'it does not matter to you' or 'you do not care,' highlighting their perceived indifference or lack of concern.

MRK 12:15

And:The word translated 'And' here is actually 'hypocrisy,' referring to the act of playing a part or wearing a mask, like an actor on a stage, to conceal true intentions.

MRK 12:17

the [things]:The word translated 'the [things]' here means to give back what is due or owed, implying a sense of obligation and rightful return.