Devine Scripture

Mark 12:16

What does Mark 12:16 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 12:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 12:16 means

In response to Jesus’s request, the religious leaders promptly brought Him a denarius. Jesus then asked them directly whose image and inscription were on the coin. They readily identified it as Caesar's. This simple exchange was crucial, as it established Roman ownership and authority over the coin through the emperor's image and name. They themselves acknowledged Caesar's claim by possessing and using the coin in their daily transactions, thus implicitly recognizing his rule, even if they resented it.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Cæsar’s.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Cesar’s.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Cæsar’s.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And they gave him one. And he said to them, Whose is this image and name on it? And they said to him, Caesar's.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and they brought, and he saith to them, `Whose <FI>is<Fi> this image, and the inscription?' and they said to him, `Caesar's;'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And they brought it him. And he saith to them: Whose is this image and inscription? They say to him, Caesar's.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And they brought [it]. And he says to them, Whose [is] this image and superscription? And they said to him, Caesar's.

Context

This verse describes the immediate action taken to fulfill Jesus's request for a denarius. It follows directly after Jesus perceives their hypocrisy and asks for the coin. This shared observation of the coin and the identification of Caesar’s image are critical steps that logically pave the way for Jesus’s profound and decisive answer in the next verse, disarming their trap by using their own evidence.

v.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.

v.16This passage

v.17And 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.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Revelation 3:12

    He that overcometh, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go out thence no more: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God, and mine own new name.

  • Luke 20:24

    Show me a denarius. Whose image and superscription hath it? And they said, Cæsar’s.

  • 2 Timothy 2:19

    Howbeit the firm foundation of God standeth, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his: and, Let every one that nameth the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.

  • Matthew 22:19

    Show me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a denarius.

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