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Mark 12:16

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Mark 12:16 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar`s.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar`s.
Mark 12:16 — American Standard Version

Context — Mark 12

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
13And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, that they might catch him in talk.
14And when they were come, they say unto him, Teacher, we know that thou art true, and carest not for any one; for thou regardest not the person of men, but of a truth teachest the way of God: Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?
15Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why make ye trial of me? bring me a denarius, that I may see it.
16And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar`s.
17And Jesus said unto them, Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar`s, and unto God the things that are God`s. And they marvelled greatly at him.
18And there come unto him Sadducees, who say that there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying,
19Teacher, Moses wrote unto us, If a man`s brother die, and leave a wife behind him, and leave no child, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And they brought it, etc..] The penny, which was a Roman one, and worth seven pence halfpenny of our money: and he saith unto them, whose is this image, and superscription; for it had the head of an emperor upon it, very likely the image of the then reigning emperor Tiberius, and a superscription on it, expressing his name, and perhaps a motto along with it: and they said unto him, Caesar's; one of the Roman emperors, Augustus, or Tiberius; most probably the latter; (see Gill on “<402220>Matthew 22:20-21”).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“See the notes at Matthew 22:15-22. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“12:16 The picture and title on the coin was almost certainly that of Tiberius Caesar, who reigned from AD 14–37. The inscription read “Tiberius Caesar Augustus, Son of [the] Divine Augustus” on one side and “High Priest” on the other.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“image: Mat 22:19-22; Luk 20:24-26; Ti2 2:19; Rev 3:12 Mark 12:17”
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Related study paths

Read Mark 12 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification