Mark 12:16

And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar's. AND THEY BROUGHT IT. AND HE SAITH UNTO THEM, WHOSE IS THIS IMAGE, [ eikoon (G1504)] - stamped upon the coin, AND SUPERSCRIPTION? [ epigrafee (G1923)] - the words encircling it on the observe side. AND THEY SAID UNTO HIM, CESAR'S....

13-17 The enemies of Christ would be thought desirous to know their duty, when really they hoped that which soever side he took of the question, they might find occasion to accuse him. Nothing is more likely to insnare the followers of Christ, than bringing them to meddle with disputes about worldly politics. Jesus avoided the snare, by referring to the submission they had already made as a nation; and all that heard him, marvelled at the great wisdom of his answer. Many will praise the words of a sermon, who will not be commanded by the doctrines of it....

See the notes at Matthew 22:15....

EXPOSITION MARK 12:1 AND HE BEGAN TO SPEAK UNTO THEM IN PARABLES. This particular parable which follows was specially directed against the scribes and Pharisees; but it was uttered in the presence of a multitude of the people. "He _began _to speak … in parables." He had not used this form of instruction till now in Jerusalem. A MAN PLANTED A VINEYARD. The imagery of the parable would be familiar to them from Isaiah (Isaiah 5:1). But Palestine was eminently a land of "vineyards," as well as of "oil olives." The man who planted the vineyard is no other than God himself. "Thou hast brought a vine" out of Egypt; thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it." The imagery is specially appropriate. No property was considered to yield so rich a r

AND THEY BROUGHT IT,.... 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; Matthew 22:20, Matthew 22:21....

Mark 12:12. _And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way._ Christ's enemies could not injure him then, partly because the people heard him gladly, and were ready to protect him, but still more because the appointed time for his suffering and death had not fully come. Mark 12:13. _And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his word. And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth:_ They meant «to catch him in his words,» if they could, so they baited their trap with flattery. Whenever a m

CHAPTER 12 _ 1. The Parable of the Vineyard. (Mark 12:1 .Matthew 21:33; Luke 20:9)_ 2. The Question concerning the Tribute Money. (Mark 12:13. Matthew 22:15; Luke 20:20) 3. The Sadducees Questioning concerning Resurrection. (Mark 12:18. Matthew 22:23;...

THE QUESTION OF TRIBUTE. The Pharisees and the Herodians perhaps represent the two horns of the dilemma by which they try to catch Jesus. The Pharisees leant to the popular view which chafed at tribute, and which found its extreme expression in the Zealots (_cf._ Josephus, _Ant._ XVH 1. 16). The Herodians probably desired the _status quo_ which ensured Herod's throne. If Jesus says it is lawful to pay tribute, the Pharisees will denounce Him to the people; if He says it is not lawful, the Herodians will denounce Him to the authorities. The flattering address, which shows that truth may be spoken in flattery, does not conceal the fact that the question is a trap, not a serious inquiry. Mk. notes a dramatic pause, while the questioners fetch a denarius to show to Jesus. Of the final answer of Jesus, Lord Acton says, Those words. gave to the civil power, under the protection of conscience,...

REJECTION AND RETRIBUTION (Mark 12:1-12)...

IMAGE, &c. See note on Matthew 22:20....