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Mark 12:16 So they brought it, and He asked them, "Whose image is this? And whose inscription?" "Caesar's," they answered.
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Mark 12:16 So they brought it, and He asked them, "Whose image is this? And whose inscription?" "Caesar's," they answered.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/mark/12-16.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/41_Mrk_12_16.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Mark 12:16 - Paying Taxes to Caesar" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So they brought it, and He asked them, Whose image is this? And whose inscription? 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And whose inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they replied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/mark/12.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />When they handed it to him, he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?” “Caesar’s,” they replied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/mark/12.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And they brought one. And he said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said to him, “Caesar’s.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/mark/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />So they brought it, and He asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they answered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/mark/12.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And they brought <i>it</i>, and He says to them, "Whose likeness and inscription <i>is</i> this?" And they said to Him, "Caesar's."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/mark/12.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And they brought <i>it</i>. And he saith unto them, Whose <i>is</i> this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar's.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/mark/12.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />So they brought <i>it.</i> And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription <i>is</i> this?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/mark/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And they brought <i>one.</i> And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” And they said to Him, “Caesar’s.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/mark/12.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />They brought one. And He said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” And they said to Him, “Caesar’s.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/mark/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And they brought <i>one.</i> And He said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” And they said to Him, “Caesar’s.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/mark/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And they brought <i>one</i>. And He said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” And they said to Him, “Caesar’s.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/mark/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So they brought one. Then He asked them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/mark/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They brought a coin. “Whose image and inscription is this? ” he asked them. “Caesar’s,” they replied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/mark/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So they brought one. “Whose image and inscription is this?” He asked them.” Caesar’s,” they said. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/mark/12.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, C锟絪ar's.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/mark/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />They brought him a silver coin, and he asked, "Whose picture and name are on it?" "The Emperor's," they answered. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/mark/12.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar's.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/mark/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />They brought a coin. He said to them, "Whose face and name is this?" They told him, "The emperor's."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/mark/12.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />They brought him one, and he asked, "Whose face and name are these?" "The Emperor's," they answered. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/mark/12.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />So they brought one. Then he asked them, "Whose face and name are on this?" They told him, "Caesar's."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/mark/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />So they brought it, and He asked them, ?Whose image is this? And whose inscription?? ?Caesar?s,? they answered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/mark/12.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />So they brought one, and he said to them, "Whose image is this, and whose inscription?" They replied, "Caesar's."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/mark/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />They brought it. He said to them, "Whose is this image and inscription?" They said to him, "Caesar's."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/mark/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And they brought it: and he saith to them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said to him, Cesar's.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/mark/12.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />They brought one; and He asked them, "Whose is this likeness and this inscription?" "Caesar's," they replied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/mark/12.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They brought it. He said to them, “Whose is this image and inscription?” They said to him, “Caesar’s.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/mark/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and they brought, and He says to them, “Whose [is] this image, and the inscription?” And they said to Him, “Caesar’s”;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/mark/12.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And they brought <i>it</i>, and He says to them, "Whose likeness and inscription <i>is</i> this?" And they said to Him, "Caesar's."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/mark/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and they brought, and he saith to them, 'Whose is this image, and the inscription?' and they said to him, 'Caesar's;'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/mark/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And they brought. And he says to them, Whose is this image and inscription? And they said to him, Caesar's.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/mark/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And they brought it him. And he saith to them: Whose is this image and inscription? They say to him, Caesar's. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/mark/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And they brought it to him. And he said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They said to him, “Caesar’s.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/mark/12.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />They brought one to him and he said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They replied to him, “Caesar’s.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/mark/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />And they brought one. Then he said to them, “Whose head is this, and whose title?” They answered, “The emperor’s.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/mark/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And they brought it to him. He said to them, Whose is this image and inscription? They said, Caesar’s.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/mark/12.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />And they brought it; he said to them: “Whose is this image and writing?” They said, “Caesar's.”<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/mark/12.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />They brought it; and he said to them: Whose image and superscription is this? They said to him: Caesar's.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/mark/12.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />And they brought it. And He says to them, <FR>Whose is this image and superscription?<Fr> And they say to Him, Caesar's.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/mark/12.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />And they brought it. And he said unto them, Whose figure and inscription is this? they say unto him, C锟絪ar?s.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/mark/12.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />let me see a penny, and when they brought it, he asked them, whose image and inscription is this? they said, Cesar's.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/mark/12.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />They brought one; and He asked them, "Whose is this likeness and this inscription?" "Caesar's," they replied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/mark/12.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />And they brought it. And He saith to them, <FR>"Whose is this image and inscription?"<Fr> And they said to Him, "Caesar's."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/mark/12.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />So they brought <i>one:</i> and He saith to them, <FR>Whose <Fr><i>is</i><FR> this image and inscription?<Fr> And they said Cesar's.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/mark/12-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DmwDTC71zvQ?start=4013" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/mark/12.htm">Paying Taxes to Caesar</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">15</span>But Jesus saw through their hypocrisy and said, “Why are you testing Me? Bring Me a denarius to inspect.” <span class="reftext">16</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">So</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hoi (Art-NMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/5342.htm" title="5342: ēnenkan (V-AIA-3P) -- To carry, bear, bring; I conduct, lead; perhaps: I make publicly known. A primary verb.">they brought it,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legei (V-PIA-3S) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">He asked</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autois (PPro-DM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">them,</a> <a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: Tinos (IPro-GMS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">“Whose</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/1504.htm" title="1504: eikōn (N-NFS) -- An image, likeness, bust. From eiko; a likeness, i.e. statue, profile, or representation, resemblance.">image</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: hautē (DPro-NFS) -- This; he, she, it. ">is this?</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">And</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">whose</a> <a href="/greek/1923.htm" title="1923: epigraphē (N-NFS) -- An inscription, title, label. From epigrapho; an inscription.">inscription?” </a> <a href="/greek/2541.htm" title="2541: Kaisaros (N-GMS) -- Of Latin origin; Caesar, a title of the Roman emperor.">“Caesar’s,”</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: Hoi (Art-NMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: eipan (V-AIA-3P) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.">they answered.</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autō (PPro-DM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons."></a> </span> <span class="reftext">17</span>Then Jesus told them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” And they marveled at Him.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/22-19.htm">Matthew 22:19-21</a></span><br />Show Me the coin used for the tax.” And they brought Him a denarius. / “Whose image is this,” He asked, “and whose inscription?” / “Caesar’s,” they answered. So Jesus told them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/20-24.htm">Luke 20:24-25</a></span><br />“Show Me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?” “Caesar’s,” they answered. / So Jesus told them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/13-7.htm">Romans 13:7</a></span><br />Pay everyone what you owe him: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/2-13.htm">1 Peter 2:13-17</a></span><br />Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority, / or to governors as those sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. / For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorance of foolish men. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/24-21.htm">Proverbs 24:21</a></span><br />My son, fear the LORD and the king, and do not associate with the rebellious.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/8-2.htm">Ecclesiastes 8:2</a></span><br />Keep the king’s command, I say, because of your oath before God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/5-29.htm">Acts 5:29</a></span><br />But Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/13-1.htm">Romans 13:1-2</a></span><br />Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. / Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/2-1.htm">1 Timothy 2:1-2</a></span><br />First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone— / for kings and all those in authority—so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/3-16.htm">Daniel 3:16-18</a></span><br />Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. / If the God whom we serve exists, then He is able to deliver us from the blazing fiery furnace and from your hand, O king. / But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden statue you have set up.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/6-10.htm">Daniel 6:10</a></span><br />Now when Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house, where the windows of his upper room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/20-3.htm">Exodus 20:3</a></span><br />You shall have no other gods before Me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/6-13.htm">Deuteronomy 6:13</a></span><br />Fear the LORD your God, serve Him only, and take your oaths in His name.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/45-1.htm">Isaiah 45:1</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says to Cyrus His anointed, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him, to disarm kings, to open the doors before him, so that the gates will not be shut:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/45-9.htm">Isaiah 45:9</a></span><br />Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker—one clay pot among many. Does the clay ask the potter, ‘What are you making?’ Does your work say, ‘He has no hands’?</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And they brought it. And he said to them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said to him, Caesar's.</p><p class="hdg">image.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/22-19.htm">Matthew 22:19-22</a></b></br> Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/20-24.htm">Luke 20:24-26</a></b></br> Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar's… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_timothy/2-19.htm">2 Timothy 2:19</a></b></br> Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/22-21.htm">Caesar's</a> <a href="/matthew/22-21.htm">Cesar's</a> <a href="/mark/12-15.htm">Coin</a> <a href="/matthew/22-20.htm">Image</a> <a href="/matthew/22-20.htm">Inscription</a> <a href="/matthew/22-20.htm">Likeness</a> <a href="/matthew/22-20.htm">Portrait</a> <a href="/matthew/22-20.htm">Superscription</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/mark/12-17.htm">Caesar's</a> <a href="/mark/12-17.htm">Cesar's</a> <a href="/mark/12-42.htm">Coin</a> <a href="/luke/20-24.htm">Image</a> <a href="/mark/15-26.htm">Inscription</a> <a href="/luke/20-24.htm">Likeness</a> <a href="/luke/20-24.htm">Portrait</a> <a href="/mark/15-26.htm">Superscription</a><div class="vheading2">Mark 12</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/12-1.htm">Jesus tells the parable of the tenants</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/12-13.htm">He avoids the snare of the Pharisees and Herodians about paying tribute to Caesar;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/12-18.htm">convicts the Sadducees, who denied the resurrection;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">28. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/12-28.htm">resolves the scribe, who questioned of the first commandment;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">35. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/12-35.htm">refutes the opinion that the scribes held of the Christ;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">38. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/12-38.htm">bidding the people to beware of their ambition and hypocrisy;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">41. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/12-41.htm">and commends the poor widow for her two mites, above all.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/mark/12.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/mark/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/mark/12.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>So they brought it</b><br>This phrase refers to the Pharisees and Herodians bringing a denarius to Jesus. The denarius was a Roman coin commonly used during the time of Jesus, typically made of silver. It was the standard daily wage for a laborer. The act of bringing the coin highlights the tension between Roman authority and Jewish autonomy, as the coin itself was a symbol of Roman occupation and control over Judea.<p><b>and He asked them</b><br>Jesus often used questions to teach and reveal deeper truths. By asking questions, He engaged His listeners, prompting them to think critically about their beliefs and actions. This method was a common rabbinical technique used to provoke thought and discussion.<p><b>Whose image is this?</b><br>The image on the coin was that of the Roman Emperor, which in this context would have been Tiberius Caesar. The use of the word "image" is significant, as it echoes the concept of humans being made in the image of God (<a href="/genesis/1-27.htm">Genesis 1:27</a>). This sets up a contrast between earthly authority and divine authority, inviting reflection on where ultimate allegiance should lie.<p><b>And whose inscription?</b><br>The inscription on the denarius would have declared the divinity and authority of Caesar, often including titles such as "son of the divine Augustus." This highlights the blasphemous claims of the Roman emperors, who were often deified and worshipped. The question of inscription further emphasizes the tension between the worship of God and the idolatrous claims of earthly rulers.<p><b>Caesar’s, they answered</b><br>The response acknowledges the political reality of Roman rule over Judea. By admitting that the coin belongs to Caesar, the Pharisees and Herodians inadvertently affirm the legitimacy of Roman authority in civil matters. This sets the stage for Jesus' teaching on the relationship between civic duty and spiritual devotion, as He later instructs to "render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's" (<a href="/mark/12-17.htm">Mark 12:17</a>). This dual responsibility reflects the Christian call to respect earthly authorities while maintaining ultimate allegiance to God.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a></b><br>The central figure in this passage, Jesus is teaching in the temple courts and is being questioned by the Pharisees and Herodians.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/p/pharisees_and_herodians.htm">Pharisees and Herodians</a></b><br>These groups, typically at odds with each other, unite in an attempt to trap Jesus with a question about paying taxes to Caesar.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/c/caesar.htm">Caesar</a></b><br>The Roman emperor at the time, whose image and inscription are on the coin, representing the political authority of Rome.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_denarius.htm">The Denarius</a></b><br>A Roman coin used for paying taxes, bearing the image and inscription of Caesar, symbolizing the secular authority and economic system of the Roman Empire.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_temple_courts.htm">The Temple Courts</a></b><br>The setting of this encounter, a place of teaching and religious discussion in Jerusalem.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_dual_allegiances.htm">Understanding Dual Allegiances</a></b><br>As Christians, we are called to navigate our responsibilities to earthly authorities while maintaining our ultimate allegiance to God. This passage challenges us to discern how to honor both.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/image_and_identity.htm">Image and Identity</a></b><br>Just as the coin bears Caesar's image, we bear God's image. This should remind us of our identity and purpose, calling us to live in a way that reflects God's character.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/w/wisdom_in_engagement.htm">Wisdom in Engagement</a></b><br>Jesus demonstrates wisdom in His response, avoiding the trap set by His questioners. We are encouraged to seek divine wisdom in our interactions, especially when faced with challenging questions or situations.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/stewardship_of_resources.htm">Stewardship of Resources</a></b><br>The mention of the coin prompts reflection on how we use our resources. Are we using what we have in a way that honors God and fulfills our responsibilities to society?<br><br><b><a href="/topical/b/balancing_civic_and_spiritual_duties.htm">Balancing Civic and Spiritual Duties</a></b><br>This passage invites us to consider how we balance our civic duties with our spiritual commitments, ensuring that our actions in both realms honor God.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_mark_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Mark 12</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_did_jesus_mean_by_'render_to_caesar'.htm">What did Jesus mean by 'Render to Caesar'?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_jesus'_tax_stance_fit_justice.htm">Mark 12:13-17: If Jesus endorses paying taxes to an oppressive regime, how does that square with calls for justice elsewhere in Scripture?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_the_'mark'_needed_for_trade.htm">Why would a literal 'mark of the beast' (Revelation 13:16-17) be mandatory for economic transactions, and how has this not been definitively pinned down by modern investigations?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_eliezer_in_the_bible.htm">What lessons does Julius Caesar's life and death teach?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/mark/12.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(16) <span class= "bld">Superscription.</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">inscription,</span> as in <a href="/matthew/22-20.htm" title="And he said to them, Whose is this image and superscription?">Matthew 22:20</a>.<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/mark/12-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">[So]</span><br /><span class="grk">δὲ</span> <span class="translit">(de)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary particle; but, and, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they brought [it],</span><br /><span class="grk">ἤνεγκαν</span> <span class="translit">(ēnenkan)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5342.htm">Strong's 5342: </a> </span><span class="str2">To carry, bear, bring; I conduct, lead; perhaps: I make publicly known. A primary verb.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">He asked</span><br /><span class="grk">λέγει</span> <span class="translit">(legei)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">them,</span><br /><span class="grk">αὐτοῖς</span> <span class="translit">(autois)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Whose</span><br /><span class="grk">Τίνος</span> <span class="translit">(Tinos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Genitive Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">likeness</span><br /><span class="grk">εἰκὼν</span> <span class="translit">(eikōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1504.htm">Strong's 1504: </a> </span><span class="str2">An image, likeness, bust. From eiko; a likeness, i.e. statue, profile, or representation, resemblance.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[is] this?</span><br /><span class="grk">αὕτη</span> <span class="translit">(hautē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> </span><span class="str2">This; he, she, it. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">And</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">[whose]</span><br /><span class="grk">ἡ</span> <span class="translit">(hē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Nominative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">inscription?”</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐπιγραφή</span> <span class="translit">(epigraphē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1923.htm">Strong's 1923: </a> </span><span class="str2">An inscription, title, label. From epigrapho; an inscription.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Caesar’s,”</span><br /><span class="grk">Καίσαρος</span> <span class="translit">(Kaisaros)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2541.htm">Strong's 2541: </a> </span><span class="str2">Of Latin origin; Caesar, a title of the Roman emperor.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they answered.</span><br /><span class="grk">εἶπαν</span> <span class="translit">(eipan)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2036.htm">Strong's 2036: </a> </span><span class="str2">Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/mark/12-16.htm">Mark 12:16 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/mark/12-16.htm">Mark 12:16 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/mark/12-16.htm">Mark 12:16 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/mark/12-16.htm">Mark 12:16 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/mark/12-16.htm">Mark 12:16 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/mark/12-16.htm">Mark 12:16 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/mark/12-16.htm">Mark 12:16 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/mark/12-16.htm">Mark 12:16 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/mark/12-16.htm">Mark 12:16 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/mark/12-16.htm">Mark 12:16 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/mark/12-16.htm">NT Gospels: Mark 12:16 They brought it (Mar Mk Mr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/mark/12-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Mark 12:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Mark 12:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/mark/12-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Mark 12:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Mark 12:17" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>