Mark 12 17

Mark 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.

Mark 12:17 nkjv

And Jesus answered and said to them, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." And they marveled at Him.

Mark 12:17 niv

Then Jesus said to them, "Give back to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's." And they were amazed at him.

Mark 12:17 esv

Jesus said to them, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." And they marveled at him.

Mark 12:17 nlt

"Well, then," Jesus said, "give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God." His reply completely amazed them.

Mark 12 verses

Mark 12 17 Meaning

Mark 12:17 encapsulates Jesus' profound response to a trapping question about paying taxes to Caesar. He establishes a foundational principle differentiating between the legitimate spheres of earthly authority and the absolute claim of God. While acknowledging the civil duty to governmental powers for that which belongs to them, Jesus simultaneously elevates God's ultimate ownership and sovereignty over all things, especially human lives and allegiance. The verse asserts that human beings, bearing the image of God, owe their highest loyalty and worship to God alone, reserving for Him the entirety of their being and the devotion of their heart.

Mark 12 17 Context

Mark 12:17 concludes a highly anticipated trap set by the religious authorities – the Pharisees and Herodians – against Jesus. This interaction occurs during Jesus' final week in Jerusalem, as He teaches in the Temple precincts. The question, "Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?" was designed to corner Jesus: a 'yes' would alienate Him from the Jewish people who resented Roman occupation and its taxes, portraying Him as a Roman collaborator; a 'no' would mark Him as a rebel against Rome, leading to His arrest by the Roman authorities. Before answering, Jesus asks them to produce a Roman coin (a denarius), which bore Caesar's image and inscription. This simple request strategically brings the symbol of Roman authority into the discussion, turning the tables on His questioners.

Mark 12 17 Word analysis

• And Jesus said to them,
  • Highlights Jesus' calm authority and wisdom in facing hostility. He is not rattled by the challenge.
• "Render (ἀποδίδωμι - apodidōmi)"
  • Meaning: To give back, pay back, render what is due or owed. It implies an obligation or debt, not a charitable contribution.
  • Significance: Jesus acknowledges a legitimate, pre-existing obligation to the civil authority for what inherently belongs to it. This suggests a functional agreement for society.
• to Caesar (Καίσαρι - Kaisari)"
  • Refers to the Roman Emperor (Tiberius at the time), representing the highest secular governmental authority.
  • Significance: The coin bears Caesar's "image" (εἰκὼν - eikōn) and "inscription," signifying his claim and ownership.
• the things that are Caesar's (τὰ Καίσαρος - ta Kaisaros)"
  • Refers specifically to the tax coin itself and by extension, material possessions and civil obligations required by the government for maintaining order and infrastructure (e.g., roads, protection).
  • Significance: This defines the limited, secular sphere of earthly authority.
• and to God (τῷ Θεῷ - tō Theō)"
  • Refers to the Supreme Being, the Creator and Sovereign Lord.
  • Significance: Introduces the ultimate and boundless claim of divine authority, implicitly superior to Caesar's.
• the things that are God's (τὰ τοῦ Θεοῦ - ta tou Theou)"
  • Encompasses everything that fundamentally belongs to God. This includes creation, and most importantly, humanity made in God's image (Gen 1:27), who bear His likeness. It implies ultimate loyalty, worship, obedience, conscience, and one's entire being.
  • Significance: This phrase is much broader than "Caesar's." It addresses the spiritual and ethical sphere, implying that while material tribute may go to Caesar, ultimate devotion and the inner self belong to God alone. This forms the primary teaching of the verse.
• And they were greatly astonished at him
  • Their reaction: amazement (ἐξεθαύμαζον - exethaumazon, meaning to be utterly astonished, marvel greatly).
  • Significance: Jesus' wisdom foiled their trap. His answer was not a simple "yes" or "no" but a profound, nuanced theological and ethical principle that transcended their political maneuvering, leaving them unable to condemn Him and instead, utterly surprised by His divine insight.

Mark 12 17 Bonus section

The context of this interaction (Jesus in the Temple, leading up to His passion) highlights the divine wisdom with which Jesus navigated the spiritual and political complexities of His time. He refused to be boxed into partisan political stances. By calling for the denarius, Jesus revealed the very instrument of the Romans’ oppression that was implicitly accepted by the religious leaders (as they carried and used such currency). His response implied that since they utilized Caesar's currency, they implicitly accepted his rule, and therefore ought to fulfill the accompanying obligation of tax. This turns the issue from one of theological lawfulness to one of pragmatic ethical consistency. Jesus' answer establishes a foundational principle for church-state relations throughout history, encouraging Christian engagement in society without succumbing to idolatry of the state. It allows for Christian obedience to civil law while also upholding the sacred right and duty to follow God above all, even in the face of governmental oppression when its demands conflict with divine commandments.

Mark 12 17 Commentary

Mark 12:17 is a cornerstone for understanding the relationship between believers, government, and God. Jesus brilliantly avoids the political trap by acknowledging the legitimate, but limited, demands of earthly government while simultaneously establishing the ultimate and superior demands of God. The principle "Render to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's" doesn't create two equal spheres, but rather delineates a clear hierarchy: earthly authority is permitted by God for certain purposes (Rom 13:1-7), but it operates under God's ultimate sovereignty.

The contrast between the "image" on Caesar's coin and the "image" of God stamped on every human being (Gen 1:27) is crucial. While a coin bears the emperor's image and thus belongs to him for the purpose of taxation, humanity bears God's image and therefore belongs to God. This means Christians are to fulfill civil duties such as paying taxes and obeying laws, contributing to societal order and justice, as long as these duties do not violate God's higher law (Acts 5:29). True worship, ultimate loyalty, and the deepest affections of the heart are reserved for God alone. The passage underscores Jesus' unmatched wisdom and reinforces the Kingdom of God as distinct from, yet interacting with, earthly kingdoms. It reminds us that our primary allegiance is always divine, guiding our ethical participation in human societies.