Mark 12:16 Commentary and Bible Study

The answer to their question was in front of their eyes all along. Here are the chief priests, the scribes, and these leading Pharisees or their representatives; and here is the coin held up for all to see. He asks them the question, as you or I might ask it of a small child, ‘Who is this on here? What is the superscription, what does it say?’ How belittling to them and yet really that is what they deserve with their hypocrisy. They are in his hands, as it were, at this point. Everyone knew what image and superscription was embossed on every coin, but he draws their attention to it. However much they may have hated the Romans, their nation was ruled by them, and a foreign power provided the coinage. That was a sign that Rome governed them, and, as such, of course their taxes were going to go to the Romans.There is no escape from Christ logic, and his line of questioning, and so ‘they said unto him, Caesar’s.’ It is Tiberias Caesar’s image. That is what they pay taxes with, and like every government, Rome stamped its image on their coins. Christ says to them in effect, ‘You are under Caesar. He has built your roads. He gives, throughout his empire, peace. He maintains the army. Yes, to hold us in subjection, but also to maintain peace through the empire. He provides services.’