Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Mark 12:13

"And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, that they might catch him in talk." — Mark 12:13 (ASV)

Again Jesus came into conflict with the religious leaders (it was probably Wednesday now). The Herodians were as obnoxious to the Pharisees on political grounds as the Sadducees were on theological grounds. Yet the two groups united in their opposition to Jesus. Collaboration in wickedness, as well as goodness, has great power. Their purpose was to trip Jesus up in his words so that he would lose the support of the people, leaving the way open for them to destroy him.