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Mark 12:17

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Mark 12:17 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And 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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And 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.
Mark 12:17 — American Standard Version

Context — Mark 12

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
20There were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed;
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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 Jesus answering said unto them, etc..] Very wisely and pertinently, render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's: or “to the king, which are the king's”, as the Arabic and Ethiopic versions render it: and to God the things that are God's; (see Gill on “<402221>Matthew 22:21”); and they marvelled at him; at his wisdom and prudence in returning such an answer, which cut off all occasion against him.”
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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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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“They marvelled at him - At the wisdom of his answer. Mark 12:18”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“12:17 give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar: Jesus’ words cannot be taken as those of an anti-Roman zealot opposing Jewish taxation by Caesar. Jesus clearly indicates elsewhere that he was opposed to the zealot cause (see Matt 5:9, 39, 41; 26:52). However, Jesus’ statement cannot be understood as pro-Roman, either, because service to God is fundamental, and God is ultimately over Caesar. Like the evil farmers in the previous parable, the religious leaders had not given God what belonged to him.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Render: Pro 24:21; Mat 17:25-27; Rom 13:7; Pe1 2:17 and to: Mar 12:30; Pro 23:26; Ecc 5:4, Ecc 5:5; Mal 1:6; Act 4:19, Act 4:20; Rom 6:13, Rom 12:1; Co1 6:19, Co1 6:20; Co2 5:14, Co2 5:15 And they: Job 5:12, Job 5:13; Mat 22:22, Mat 22:33, Mat 22:46; Co1 14:24, Co1 14:25 Mark 12:18”
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Related study paths

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

Sources and verification