Church Fathers Commentary Mark 12:13-17

"And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, that they might catch him in talk. And when they were come, they say unto him, Teacher, we know that thou art true, and carest not for any one; for thou regardest not the person of men, but of a truth teachest the way of God: Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why make ye trial of me? bring me a denarius, 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 said unto them, Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar`s, and unto God the things that are God`s. And they marvelled greatly at him." — Mark 12:13-17 (ASV)

The Venerable Bede: Although the chief priests sought to arrest Him, they feared the crowd. Therefore, they tried to accomplish by means of earthly powers what they could not do themselves, so that they might appear to be guiltless of His death.

And so the text says, And they send unto Him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch Him in His words.

Theophylact of Ohrid: We have said elsewhere that the Herodians were a new heresy, claiming that Herod was the Christ because the royal succession in Judah had failed. Others, however, say that the Herodians were Herod's soldiers, whom the Pharisees brought as witnesses to Christ's words so that they could arrest Him and lead Him away.

Notice how, in their wickedness, they tried to deceive Christ with flattery, for the text continues: Master, we know that thou art true.

Pseudo-Jerome: For they questioned Him with honeyed words, surrounding Him like bees that carry honey in their mouths but have a sting in their tails.

The Venerable Bede: This smooth and crafty question was intended to make Him, in His answer, fear God rather than Caesar, and say that tribute should not be paid. This was so the Herodians, upon hearing it, could immediately accuse Him of instigating rebellion against the Romans.

Therefore, they added, And carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of any.

Theophylact of Ohrid: As if to say, "You will not honor Caesar if it goes against the truth."

Therefore, they added, 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?

Their whole plot was a trap with a precipice on both sides. If He said it was lawful to give tribute to Caesar, they could incite the people against Him, as if He wanted to enslave the nation. But if He said it was not lawful, they could accuse Him of stirring up the people against Caesar. The Fountain of Wisdom, however, escaped their snares.

Therefore, the text continues: 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.

The Venerable Bede: A denarius was a coin, considered equal to ten smaller coins, that bore the image of Caesar. Therefore, the text continues: And He saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto Him, Caesar's.

Let those who think that our Savior asked the question from ignorance, and not for a higher purpose, learn from this that He could have known whose image it was. He asked the question only to give them a fitting answer in return.

Therefore, the text continues: And Jesus answering said unto them, Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's.

Theophylact of Ohrid: It is as if He had said, "Give what bears an image to the one whose image it is—that is, the penny to Caesar." For we can both pay Caesar his tribute and offer to God what is His own.

The Venerable Bede: This means tithes, firstfruits, offerings, and sacrifices. In the same way that He gave tribute for both Himself and Peter, He also gave to God the things that are God's by doing the will of His Father.

Pseudo-Jerome: Render to Caesar the money bearing his image, which is collected for him, and render yourselves willingly to God, for the light of thy countenance, O Lord (Psalm 4:6), and not Caesar's, is stamped upon us.

Theophylact of Ohrid: The inevitable needs of our bodies are like Caesar to each of us; the Lord therefore commands that we give the body what is its own—that is, food and clothing—and to God the things that are God's. The text continues: And they marvelled at Him. Those who should have believed instead marveled at such great wisdom, because they had found no opening for their craftiness.