Mark 12:13

“And they send unto him, etc..] That is, the chief priests, Scribes, and elders, who had been with Jesus in the temple, and were silenced by his reasonings, and provoked by his parables; and therefore left him, and went together to consult what methods they should take to get him into their hands, and be revenged on him; the result of which was, they send to him certain of the Pharisees. The Syriac and Persic versions read “Scribes”, who were the more skillful and learned part of that body of men, and scrupled paying tribute to Caesar, he being an Heathen prince, and they the Lord's free people: and of the Herodians; who were, as the Syriac and Persic versions read, “of the household of…”

“See the notes at Matthew 22:15-22. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Mat 22:15; Luk 20:20. Mark 12:17”

“12:13-17 Having failed in questioning Jesus’ authority, Jesus’ enemies tried to alienate his audience. Readers are aware from the beginning that the flattery of the Pharisees and supporters of Herod (see 3:6) was insincere; they wanted only to trap Jesus into saying something for which he could be arrested. The question is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? had been carefully thought out by Jesus’ opponents. It presented Jesus with a dilemma. To say yes would alienate the people, for they despised the Romans and hated paying them taxes. To say no would make him a revolutionary and force an immediate confrontation with the Roman authorities, resulting in his arrest.”

“they send: Psa 38:12, Psa 56:5, Psa 56:6, Psa 140:5; Isa 29:21; Jer 18:18; Mat 22:15, Mat 22:16; Luk 11:54; Luk 20:20-26 Herodians: Mar 3:6, Mar 8:15; Mat 16:6 Mark 12:14”