PrevMark 12:16Next

Mark 12

And he began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country.

And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard.

And they caught him, and beat him, and sent him away empty.

And again he sent unto them another servant; and at him they cast stones, and wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully handled.

And again he sent another; and him they killed, and many others; beating some, and killing some.

Having yet therefore one son, his wellbeloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son.

But those husbandmen said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours.

And they took him, and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard.

What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others.

And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner:

This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way.

And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words.

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?

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.

And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar's.

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.

Then come unto him the Sadducees, which say there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying,

Master, Moses wrote unto us, If a man's brother die, and leave his wife behind him, and leave no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.

Now there were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed.

And the second took her, and died, neither left he any seed: and the third likewise.

And the seven had her, and left no seed: last of all the woman died also.

In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her to wife.

And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?

For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven.

And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?

He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err.

And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?

And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:

And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.

And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.

And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the Son of David?

For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.

David therefore himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he then his son? And the common people heard him gladly.

And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,

And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:

Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.

And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.

And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.

And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:

For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

What does Mark 12:16 mean?

Explanation

Mark 12:16 captures a moment where Jesus is being questioned by some of the Pharisees and Herodians regarding the legality of paying taxes to the Roman emperor. They approached Jesus trying to trap him into saying something that could be used against him.

The verse indicates that they brought to Jesus a denarius, which was a day's wage for a laborer at the time, and Jesus asked them about the image and inscription on the coin.

When they replied that it was Caesar's, Jesus used this as an opportunity to teach a profound lesson about civil and religious duties.

The literal meaning is a straightforward reference to the coin bearing the likeness of the emperor, but the deeper meaning reflects Jesus's wisdom in navigating a politically charged question, and points to the greater theme of distinguishing between earthly and divine authority.

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

The historical context of Mark 12:16 is 1st-century Judea under Roman occupation.

The Roman denarius, which bore the image of the emperor, was a tangible symbol of Roman authority and economic power.

The Pharisees, a Jewish religious group, and the Herodians, supporters of the Herodian dynasty and Roman rule, confronted Jesus with what they believed to be a no-win question about paying taxes to the Romans.

If Jesus denounced the tax, he could be reported as an insurrectionist; if he supported it, he risked alienating many Jews who resented Roman rule.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, Jesus' response to the question about paying taxes reflects the principles of respecting secular authority while affirming God's ultimate sovereignty.

This interaction highlights the distinction between what belongs to the earthly rulers and what belongs to God.

Theological insights from this passage touch on themes of Christian participation in secular society, the separation of the sacred and the secular, and the recognition of different spheres of authority.

Practical Applications

The teachings of this verse can be practically applied in navigating the relationship between civic responsibilities and religious beliefs.

It suggests that one can fulfill civic duties like taxation, while one's ultimate allegiance or commitment belongs to God.

The practical application today might involve honoring governmental laws and structures, engaging with social and political systems ethically, and distinguishing between spiritual commitments and secular responsibilities.

Cross-References

Matthew 22:20-21: "And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, Caesar's.

Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's."

Romans 13:1: "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers.

For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God."

1 Peter 2:17: "Honour all men.

Love the brotherhood.

Fear God.

Honour the king."

Language Study

In the original Greek text of Mark 12:16, two key words stand out:

"Image" (Greek: "εἰκών", transliterated as "eikōn") here suggests a likeness or portrait, often associated with authority and ownership.
"Superscription" (Greek: "ἐπιγραφή", transliterated as "epigraphē") refers to the inscription on the coin.

In this context, it would include the name and title of the emperor, proclaiming his rule and sovereignty over the territory.

These terms emphasize the association of the denarius with Roman imperial power and represent the larger question of where loyalty and duty reside.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The discussion of images on currency in Mark 12:16 can be compared to other ancient cultures that often stamped the likeness of their gods, rulers, or symbols of the state on their currency.

In many societies, the ruler's image on coins was intrinsically linked to the divine right to govern.

In this context, Jesus' handling of the question can be seen as addressing both religious sensitivities to idolatry and the political implications of using currency with the emperor's image.

Scientific Perspectives

While there are no direct scientific intersections regarding this particular verse, coinage and numismatics are relevant fields of study.

Modern archaeology and metallurgical studies often use coins from ancient civilizations, including Roman denarii, to understand their economy, governance, and societal structure.

Scientific analysis of coins can provide insights into the historical accuracy and cultural practices of the period.

Commentaries

Regarding Mark 12:16, biblical scholars and commentators offer different perspectives.

Some focus on Jesus' wisdom in dealing with a complex political-religious question. Others highlight the verse's emphasis on proper allegiance, to earthly rulers and to God.

Commentators often note that Jesus' response encouraged his followers to be responsible in their civic duties without compromising their primary allegiance to God.

They also point out the skill with which Jesus avoids the trap set by his questioners, reinforcing his authority and insight as a teacher.

Mark 12

Mark 12

What does Mark 12:16 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Mark 12:16 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?