Mark 12:13-17
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A Question of Responsibility
A Question of Responsibility
V. 13-15
Two enemies come together for the unified purpose of taking Jesus down. Hoping to catch Him in a trap and allow the Roman government to deal with him because of speaking against them.
Herodians: Supported the family of Herod as well as the Romans who gave them their authority to rule.
Pharisees: Considered Herod and his family to be evil usurpers of the throne of David. Herod was a Edomite, not a Jew.
They also opposed the poll tax that the Romans had inflicted on Judea, and they resented the very presence of Rome in their land.
Their temporary alliance was a subtle trap, for no matter how Jesus replied to their question, He was in trouble with either Rome or Herod!
If He advises them to pay it, He will lose some popularity amongst His people.
If He advised against payment, He would surely be arrested by the Roman authorities.
V. 16
- But Jesus moved the discussion from politics to principle and caught the hypocrites in their own trap.
Mark (3) About the Payment of Taxes (12:13–17)
The Herodians (as well as the Sadducees who are mentioned in v. 18) had no reservations at all about paying the tax. The Pharisees did not want to pay it, but they grudgingly did so. Only the Zealots actively opposed payment.
Mark (3) About the Payment of Taxes (12:13–17)
The “portrait” (eikōn) or “image” (KJV, NKJV) or “likeness” (RSV, NASB) or “head” (NRSV, NEB, REB) or “face” (GNB) was objectionable to most Jews because it was looked upon as an idol. The inscriptions were equally offensive.
Mark (3) About the Payment of Taxes (12:13–17)
On a typical coin of the time one side read, “Tiberius Caesar, son of the divine Augustus” (or “son of god”), the other “high priest.”
We might state our Lord’s reply something like this:
“Caesar’s image is on his coins, so they must be minted by his authority. The fact that you possess these coins and use them indicates that you think they are worth something. Therefore, you are already accepting Caesar’s authority, or you would not use his money! But don’t forget that you were created in the image of God and therefore must live under God’s authority as well.”
V. 17
The point that Jesus makes here is simple. The coin that was minted by the emperor and had his image stamped on it was considered to be his personal property even while it was in circulation. Therefore it was proper for Jews and (later) Christians to return it to him.
In saying this… Jesus is acknowledging that God’s people have an obligation to the state .
We do see Scripture go a little bit more into details in passages like
1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.
1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,
1 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.
By far the greater obligation, however is GOD.
The use of the word likeness can recall Gen. 1:26-27
26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
Now, allow us to be pushed here to continue to render to God that which is God’s.
What is that you may ask?
“Coins have the image a ruler, and they may be returned to him. Human beings are made in the image of God; they and all they have belong to Him.”
What all is that specifically?
Our hearts, our minds, our words, our actions, our possessions, all of our coins, our plans, our schedule, our dreams, our relationships, EVERYTHING WE HAVE.