14 They came and said to Him, "Teacher , we know that You are truthful and defer to no one ; for You are not partial e to any , but teach the way of God in truth . Is it lawful to pay a poll-tax to Caesar , or not? 15 "Shall we pay or shall we not pay ?" But He, knowing their hypocrisy , said to them, "Why are you testing Me? Bring Me a denarius to look at." 16 They brought one. And He said to them, "Whose likeness and inscription is this ?" And they said to Him, "Caesar's ." 17 And Jesus said to them, " Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's , and to God the things that are God's ." And they were amazed at Him.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Mark 12:14-17
Commentary on Mark 12:13-17
(Read Mark 12:13-17)
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.