Mark 12:17

Render Literally, Give back, pay as being due. "therefore yelde ye to Cæsar," Wyclif. It was not a question of a voluntary gift, but of a legal due. The head of the Emperor on the coin, the legend round it, and its circulation in the country, were undeniable proofs of the right of the actually existing government to levy the tax. "Ubicunque numisma alicujus regis obtinet, illic incolæ regem istum pro domino agnoscunt;" Maimonides. Remembrance of this precept "would have spared the Jewish war, the destruction of Jerusalem, and the downfall of their nation." Lange.

and to God He would remind them that besides the claims of the ruling powers, they had also the claim upon them of their Spiritual King, and obedience to Cæsar must ever be conditioned by obedience to God. "Render unto Cæsar all that he can lawfully demand, but render also to God, what He requires of you as His spiritual subjects." "Give to God that which has the image and superscription of God, the soul." Erasmus.

they marvelled at him Neither the orthodox Pharisee nor the aristocratic royalist had expected such an answer from the Galilæan Teacher.