Mark 12:17

KJV

And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} Jesus {G2424} answering {G611} said {G2036} unto them {G846}, Render {G591} to Caesar {G2541} the things that are {G3588} Caesar's {G2541}, and {G2532} to God {G2316} the things that are {G3588} God's {G2316}. And {G2532} they marvelled {G2296} at {G1909} him {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yeshua said, "Give the Emperor what belongs to the Emperor. And give to God what belongs to God!" And they were amazed at him.

Berean Standard Bible

Then Jesus told them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” And they marveled at Him.

American Standard Version

And Jesus said unto them, Render unto Cæsar the things that are Cæsar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s. And they marvelled greatly at him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 12:17 captures Jesus' profound and strategic response to a malicious trap set by His adversaries, the Pharisees and Herodians, regarding the legitimacy of paying taxes to Caesar. In this pivotal declaration, Jesus masterfully articulates a foundational principle concerning the dual responsibilities of individuals to both earthly governing authorities and, more supremely, to God, thereby disarming His interrogators and astonishing the crowd with His divine wisdom.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This potent statement by Jesus is situated within a series of intense confrontations and challenges to His authority in Jerusalem during the final week leading up to His crucifixion. Immediately preceding this encounter, Jesus had delivered the [Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers](/mark/12-1-12 "Mark 12:1-12 - Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers"), which clearly condemned the Jewish religious leaders for their rejection of God's messengers, including Himself. This parable further inflamed their animosity, prompting them to seek a way to arrest Him. The question about paying tribute to Caesar was a carefully crafted snare, designed to force Jesus into a politically untenable position, either alienating the Jewish populace or inciting Roman authorities. Jesus' response, therefore, is not an isolated teaching but a brilliant counter-move within a larger narrative of escalating conflict and divine revelation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Judea was under Roman occupation, and Roman taxation was a constant source of resentment and political tension for the Jewish people. The specific tax in question was likely the annual poll tax, a denarius per person, which was particularly offensive because it bore the image of the Roman emperor (Tiberius Caesar at the time) and an inscription proclaiming his divinity ("Tiberius Caesar, son of the divine Augustus"). For many devout Jews, carrying or using such a coin was a violation of the Mosaic Law against idolatry. The Pharisees, while generally opposed to Roman rule, pragmatically tolerated the tax, whereas the Herodians were a pro-Roman political faction. Their unlikely alliance in posing this question underscored their desperate attempt to corner Jesus. Jesus' request for the coin itself was significant, as it highlighted their complicity in the very system they questioned.
* **Key Themes:** Jesus' response in this verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Mark's Gospel and broader biblical theology. It explicitly addresses the theme of **dual allegiance and responsibility**, establishing that legitimate spheres of authority exist for both civil government and God, each demanding appropriate honor and obedience. Crucially, it underscores **God's ultimate sovereignty**; while Caesar's image is on the coin, humanity bears the image of God, implying a far greater claim on our lives and worship, as seen in [Genesis 1:27](/genesis/1-27 "Genesis 1:27 - Humanity Made in God's Image"). Furthermore, this encounter powerfully demonstrates the **wisdom and authority of Christ**, as His answer brilliantly navigates a treacherous political and religious trap, silencing His adversaries and revealing a profound spiritual truth that transcends their narrow agenda. His ability to discern the heart of their question and respond with such clarity and depth is a hallmark of His divine nature, a theme woven throughout [the Gospel of Mark](/mark/1 "The Gospel of Mark").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Render (Greek, _apodídōmi'_):** This word (G591) means "to give away, i.e. up, over, back, etc. (in various applications):--deliver (again), give (again), (re-)pay(-ment be made), perform, recompense, render, requite, restore, reward, sell, yield." It carries the strong connotation of paying back or giving what is due, fulfilling an obligation, or restoring something that rightfully belongs to another. It is not merely a suggestion to "give" but a command to "pay what is owed." This implies that the tribute to Caesar is not a gift or an optional offering, but a legitimate debt or duty.
* **God (Greek, _theós'_):** This term (G2316) refers to "a deity, especially (with ὁ) the supreme Divinity." In this context, it stands in stark contrast to Caesar, representing the ultimate, supreme authority to whom all things belong. Jesus' juxtaposition of Caesar and God elevates the discussion beyond mere political obligation to the realm of ultimate allegiance and worship, asserting God's absolute claim over all creation and humanity.
* **Marvelled (Greek, _thaumázō'_):** This verb (G2296) means "to wonder; by implication, to admire." The reaction of Jesus' interrogators and the crowd—that "they marvelled at him"—is a crucial detail. It signifies that Jesus' answer was not only unexpected but profoundly insightful and unassailable. It disarmed His enemies, revealing the futility of their trap and highlighting the unparalleled wisdom of Christ, leaving them astonished and speechless.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Jesus answering said unto them":** This phrase sets the stage, emphasizing Jesus' active and deliberate response. It highlights His full awareness of the trap and His intention to provide an answer that transcends the immediate political question, revealing deeper spiritual truths. His answer is not a reaction but a divinely inspired counter-statement.
* **"Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's":** This clause acknowledges the legitimate sphere of civil authority. By identifying the coin with Caesar's image, Jesus implicitly affirms that the coin, and by extension, the system it represents, falls under Caesar's domain. Therefore, obligations to the state, such as taxes, are to be fulfilled. This is a recognition of the temporal authority God permits human governments to exercise.
* **"and to God the things that are God's":** This is the pivotal and more profound part of Jesus' statement. It establishes a higher, ultimate allegiance. While Caesar has a claim on the coin (which bears his image), God has a claim on humanity, who are created in His image ([Genesis 1:27](/genesis/1-27 "Genesis 1:27 - Humanity Made in God's Image")). This implies that our lives, worship, obedience, and entire being belong to God. This clause subordinates earthly authority to divine authority, demanding a complete and holistic devotion to God.
* **"And they marvelled at him":** This concluding observation underscores the impact of Jesus' wisdom. His answer was so brilliant and comprehensive that it completely confounded His adversaries, who had expected to trap Him. Their marveling signifies their astonishment at His ability to navigate the dilemma flawlessly, providing an answer that was both politically astute and profoundly theologically sound, leaving them without a retort.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 12:17 is rich in literary devices that amplify its message. The most prominent is **Antithesis**, as Jesus directly contrasts "Caesar" with "God" and "the things that are Caesar's" with "the things that are God's." This stark opposition highlights the dual nature of human obligations and the ultimate supremacy of divine authority. There is also a subtle use of **Symbolism**: the coin, bearing Caesar's image, symbolizes earthly power, taxation, and the temporal realm. In contrast, the implied "things that are God's" refer to humanity itself, made in God's image, symbolizing our inherent belonging and ultimate accountability to the Creator. Jesus' response also functions as a masterful **Rhetorical Strategy**, as He turns a loaded political question into a profound theological declaration, disarming His interrogators and demonstrating His unparalleled wisdom. The final phrase, "And they marvelled at him," serves as a **Narrative Device** emphasizing the profound impact of Jesus' words and His unassailable authority.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jesus' declaration in Mark 12:17 is a cornerstone for understanding the Christian's relationship with both civil authority and divine sovereignty. It establishes a principle of dual citizenship, where believers are called to be responsible and obedient citizens of their earthly nations while simultaneously recognizing their ultimate allegiance and identity as citizens of God's eternal kingdom. This means fulfilling civic duties, such as paying taxes and obeying laws, as a reflection of good stewardship and a testimony to Christ, provided these duties do not directly conflict with God's higher commands. The profound implication is that everything we possess and every aspect of our being, from our material possessions to our very lives, ultimately belongs to God, who has stamped His image upon us. Therefore, the "rendering" to God is not merely a religious act but a holistic devotion of our entire existence, acknowledging His rightful ownership and supreme authority over all.

* [Romans 13:1-7](/romans/13-1-7 "Romans 13:1-7 - Submission to Governing Authorities")
* [Acts 5:29](/acts/5-29 "Acts 5:29 - Obeying God Rather Than Men")
* [1 Peter 2:13-17](/1_peter/2-13-17 "1 Peter 2:13-17 - Living as Free Servants of God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jesus' teaching in Mark 12:17 offers timeless guidance for believers navigating the complexities of living faithfully in a fallen world. It challenges us to critically examine our allegiances and priorities, ensuring that our commitment to God remains paramount, even as we fulfill our responsibilities as citizens. This means actively participating in society, respecting laws, and contributing to the common good, not out of fear or mere obligation, but as an expression of our worship and obedience to God, who has established governing authorities. However, it also serves as a crucial reminder that when earthly demands directly contradict divine principles, our ultimate loyalty must always be to God. This calls for discernment, courage, and a deep understanding of biblical truth, empowering us to live as salt and light in the world, influencing culture for Christ while never compromising our faith. It is a call to holistic stewardship, recognizing that our time, talents, resources, and very identity are gifts from God, to be rendered back to Him in service and worship.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I currently balance my civic responsibilities (e.g., paying taxes, obeying laws) with my spiritual obligations to God?**
* **What "things" in my life—my time, talents, resources, relationships, or even my identity—do I need to more fully recognize as belonging to God and "render" back to Him?**
* **Are there any areas where I might be giving to "Caesar" (worldly systems, values, or pursuits) what rightfully belongs to God, or vice versa?**
* **In what specific ways does bearing God's image influence my daily decisions and my interactions with both earthly authorities and my community?**

### FAQ
**What exactly did Jesus mean by "the things that are God's"?**

Answer: While "the things that are Caesar's" clearly referred to the Roman tax and the system it represented, "the things that are God's" encompasses far more than just religious offerings or temple taxes. Jesus' profound point is rooted in the biblical understanding that humanity itself is created in God's image ([Genesis 1:27](/genesis/1-27 "Genesis 1:27 - Humanity Made in God's Image")). Just as the coin bore Caesar's image and therefore belonged to him, so humans bear God's image and therefore belong to Him. This implies that our entire being—our lives, hearts, minds, souls, strength, talents, time, and resources—are ultimately God's. It calls for holistic worship, obedience, and stewardship, recognizing God's absolute claim over every aspect of our existence.

**Does this verse mean Christians should always obey the government, no matter what?**

Answer: No, not absolutely. Jesus' statement establishes the legitimacy of civil authority and the Christian's responsibility to obey it in general. The Apostle Paul later reinforces this in [Romans 13:1-7](/romans/13-1-7 "Romans 13:1-7 - Submission to Governing Authorities"), teaching that governing authorities are instituted by God. However, the crucial caveat lies in the second part of Jesus' statement: "and to God the things that are God's." When human laws or demands directly conflict with God's commands or His moral law, our ultimate allegiance is to God. The apostles exemplified this principle when they declared, "We must obey God rather than human beings" ([Acts 5:29](/acts/5-29 "Acts 5:29 - Obeying God Rather Than Men")). Therefore, while Christians are called to be exemplary citizens, their obedience to the state is always subordinate to their supreme obedience to God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 12:17 finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ Himself. Jesus, as the perfect Son of God, perfectly rendered to God "the things that are God's" through His unwavering obedience, even unto death on the cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience Unto Death")). He exemplified the principle of submitting to earthly authorities (e.g., paying the temple tax in [Matthew 17:24-27](/matthew/17-24-27 "Matthew 17:24-27 - Jesus and the Temple Tax"), submitting to arrest and trial) while never compromising His divine mission or ultimate allegiance to His Father. His kingdom, though not "of this world" in its origin or nature ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World")), profoundly impacts and transforms this world. As the very "image of the invisible God" ([Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ, the Image of the Invisible God")), Jesus is the one in whom all things are rightly rendered to God. Through His atoning sacrifice, He reclaims humanity, who bears God's image, from the dominion of sin and death, enabling us to truly "render to God the things that are God's" by living lives devoted to Him, empowered by the Holy Spirit. He is the ultimate example and the means by which we can fulfill this profound dual obligation.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Romans 13:7

¶ Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute [is due]; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

1 Peter 2:17

Honour all [men]. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

Job 5:12

He disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform [their] enterprise.

Job 5:13

He taketh the wise in their own craftiness: and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong.

Matthew 22:22

When they had heard [these words], they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.

Matthew 22:46

And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any [man] from that day forth ask him any more [questions].

2 Corinthians 5:14

For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: