They
tried to seize him, but they feared the multitude; for they perceived that he spoke the parable against them. They left him, and went away. They sent some of the Pharisees and of the Herodians to him, that they might trap him with words. When they had come, they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you are honest, and don’t defer to anyone; for you aren’t partial to anyone, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Shall we give, or shall we not give?” But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, “Why do you test me? Bring me a denarius, that I may see it.”
Mark 12:12-15
Mark 12 [10.] Haven’t you even read this Scripture:
‘The stone which the builders rejected,
the same was made the head of the corner.
This was from the Lord,
it is marvelous in our eyes’?”
Mark 12 [12.] They tried to seize him, but they feared the multitude; for they perceived that he spoke the parable against them. They left him, and went away. They sent some of the Pharisees and of the Herodians to him, that they might trap him with words. When they had come, they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you are honest, and don’t defer to anyone; for you aren’t partial to anyone, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Shall we give, or shall we not give?”
But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, “Why do you test me? Bring me a denarius, that I may see it.”
Mark 12 [16.] They brought it.
He said to them, “Whose is this image and inscription?”
They said to him, “Caesar’s.”
Meaning:
Jesus had just told the parable of the farmers who killed the owner’s beloved son (Mark 12:1-9) and quoted the psalm of the rejected stone (Mark 12:10-11). The chief priests, scribes and elders who had challenged his authority (Mark 11:27-28) knew whom he meant. These verses describe their reaction and open a series of test questions put to Jesus in the temple during his last week: about taxes, the resurrection and the greatest commandment.
- “They tried to seize him, but they feared the multitude”
The leaders wanted to arrest Jesus on the spot, but they did not dare, because the Passover crowds hung on his words. Mark has already said that they “feared him, because all the multitude was astonished at his teaching” (Mark 11:18). Luke tells the same scene: “they feared the people—for they knew he had spoken this parable against them” (Luke 20:19).
There is a sad irony here. The men recognised themselves in the story of the tenants who said, “Come, let’s kill him,” yet instead of turning back they began to act it out, just as the psalm had foreseen: “the rulers take counsel together, against Yahweh, and against his Anointed” (Psalm 2:2). They “left him, and went away”, but only to try another method.
- “They sent some of the Pharisees and of the Herodians”
The Pharisees were a popular movement devoted to strict keeping of the Law, and they resented the pagan Romans. The Herodians supported the family of Herod, whose son Herod Antipas ruled Galilee with Rome’s backing. The two groups had little in common, but they had joined forces against Jesus before: after he healed on the Sabbath in Galilee, “The Pharisees went out, and immediately conspired with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him” (Mark 3:6).
Their purpose was “that they might trap him with words”, like hunters setting a snare.
- “Teacher, we know that you are honest”
The opening words were true, but the speakers did not believe them. They used praise as bait, hoping that a teacher praised for not being “partial to anyone” would feel bound to give a bold answer in front of the crowd. Scripture describes this kind of speech: “They speak with flattering lips, and with a double heart” (Psalm 12:2), and warns, “A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet” (Proverbs 29:5). Here the net was spread quite literally.
- “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”
Since AD 6 Judea had been ruled by a Roman governor, and every adult paid a yearly head tax to the emperor. Many Jews hated it as a sign that a pagan ruler, rather than God, was lord of the land, and the zealots taught that paying it was disloyalty to God.
The question was a trap with two jaws. If Jesus said “Pay”, he would lose the crowds who hoped he would free Israel. If he said “Don’t pay”, the Herodians could report him as a rebel “so as to deliver him up to the power and authority of the governor” (Luke 20:19-20). In the end the leaders did hand him to Pilate, who asked, “Are you the King of the Jews?” (Mark 15:1-2).
- “But he, knowing their hypocrisy”
Jesus was not taken in by the compliments; “Yahweh looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). Matthew records his reply: “Why do you test me, you hypocrites?” (Matthew 22:18). A hypocrite was originally an actor wearing a mask, and these men were playing the part of sincere seekers.
Instead of answering at once, Jesus asked for a denarius, the Roman silver coin, worth about a day’s wages, used to pay the tax. It would become the centre of his answer (Mark 12:16). He was what he told his disciples to be: “wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16).
The Significance of Mark 12:12-15
- Flattery is a form of deceit
Words can be true and still dishonest when used to manipulate. Followers of Jesus speak truth with a sincere heart.
- God sees through every mask
No scheme is hidden from God: “You perceive my thoughts from afar” (Psalm 139:2). That warns the hypocrite and comforts the falsely accused.
- Come to Jesus with honest questions
Jesus welcomed sincere questions but exposed those asked to trap him. We may bring him our hardest questions if we are willing to obey the answer.
Cross-References:
Mark 3:6: "The Pharisees went out, and immediately conspired with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him." The same alliance had formed in Galilee.
Psalm 12:2: "Everyone lies to his neighbor. They speak with flattering lips, and with a double heart." Flattery that hides a double heart.
Matthew 22:18: "But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test me, you hypocrites? Show me the tax money.”" Matthew’s account of Jesus’ reply.
Conclusion: The leaders knew the parable of the wicked farmers was aimed at them and wanted to seize Jesus, but they feared the crowds. So they sent Pharisees and Herodians with a flattering question about paying taxes to Caesar, hoping any answer would ruin him with the people or with Rome. Jesus saw through their hypocrisy and calmly asked for a denarius, showing the wisdom of the Lord who knows every heart.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible