Mark 12:14

14 And they come and say to him, Teacher, we know that thou art true, and carest not for any one; for thou regardest not men's person, but teachest the way of God with truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar or not?

Mark 12:14 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 12:14

And when they were come
Unto Jesus in the temple:

they said unto him, master;
they saluted him in like manner, as they did their doctors and Rabbins, calling him "Rabbi", though they were not his disciples; but one part of them were the disciples of the Pharisees, and the other had Herod for their master;

we know that thou art true;
an honest, sincere, and upright man,

and carest for no man, for thou regardest not the person of men;
no, not Caesar himself;

but teachest the way of God in truth;
instructest men in the word, will, and worship of God, with all integrity and faithfulness; answer therefore this question,

is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar or not?
The Syriac and Persic versions read, "head money"; and so it is read in Beza's most ancient copy; a tax that was levied on the heads of families; or on every particular head in a family; (See Gill on Matthew 22:16), (See Gill on Matthew 22:17).

Mark 12:14 In-Context

12 And they sought to lay hold of him, and they feared the crowd; for they knew that he had spoken the parable of them. And they left him and went away.

13 And they send to him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, that they might catch him in speaking.

14 And they come and say to him, Teacher, we know that thou art true, and carest not for any one; for thou regardest not men's person, but teachest the way of God with truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar or not?

15 Should we give, or should we not give? But he knowing their hypocrisy said unto them, Why tempt ye me? Bring me a denarius that I may see [it].

16 And they brought [it]. And he says to them, Whose [is] this image and superscription? And they said to him, Caesar's.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or 'appearance.'