Devine Scripture

Mark 12:17

What does Mark 12:17 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 12:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 12:17 means

Jesus delivers His profound and timeless answer: \"Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s.\" This masterful reply avoids their trap by affirming civic duty while primarily upholding spiritual allegiance. It acknowledges the earthly authority of civil government (represented by Caesar's image on the coin) while unequivocally declaring that ultimate devotion, which bears God's invisible \"image,\" belongs solely to Him. His answer left the questioners astonished.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And Jesus said to them, Give to Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and to God the things which are God's. And they were full of wonder at him.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and Jesus answering said to them, `Give back the things of Caesar to Caesar, and the things of God to God;' and they did wonder at him.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Jesus answering said to them, Pay what is Caesar's to Caesar, and what isGod's toGod. And they wondered at him.

Context

This verse contains Jesus's iconic and brilliant response to the trap laid by the Pharisees and Herodians. It immediately follows their identification of Caesar's image on the denarius. This impactful declaration not only silences His adversaries but also establishes a fundamental principle of Christian living, distinguishing between civic and divine duties, thus concluding this attempted entrapment with astonishment among His listeners.

v.16And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Cæsar’s.

v.17This passage

v.18And there come unto him Sadducees, who say that there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying,

Cross references

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

  • 1 Corinthians 14:24

    But if all prophesy, and there come in one unbelieving or unlearned, he is reproved by all, he is judged by all;

  • Malachi 1:6

    A son honoreth his father, and a servant his master: if then I am a father, where is mine honor? and if I am a master, where is my fear? saith Jehovah of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?

  • Matthew 22:46

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

  • Mark 12:30

    and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength.

  • Matthew 22:22

    And when they heard it, they marvelled, and left him, and went away.

  • Proverbs 24:21

    My son, fear thou Jehovah and the king; And company not with them that are given to change:

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