King James Version

What Does Mark 12:14 Mean?

Mark 12:14 in the King James Version says “And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardes... — study this verse from Mark chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?

Mark 12:14 · KJV


Context

12

And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way.

13

And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words.

14

And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?

15

Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it. penny: valuing of our money seven pence halfpenny

16

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


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth—their flattery ironically spoke truth. The Greek alēthēs ei (ἀληθής εἶ, "you are true") and ou melei soi peri oudenos (οὐ μέλει σοι περὶ οὐδενός, "you care for no one") meant Jesus wasn't swayed by public opinion or powerful interests. Though intended to manipulate, this described Jesus' authentic character: fearless truth-telling regardless of consequences.

Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? (ἔξεστιν δοῦναι κῆνσον Καίσαρι ἢ οὔ;). The word kēnson (κῆνσον) refers to the tributum capitis, the hated Roman poll tax. The question's phrasing—"is it lawful" (exestin, ἔξεστιν)—forced Jesus to pronounce on God's law regarding Roman authority. This was theological, not merely political: does God's Torah permit supporting pagan occupation?

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Roman poll tax, instituted in Judea in AD 6, required annual payment of one denarius per person. This tax symbolized Jewish subjection to Rome and was deeply resented. Judas the Galilean led a violent revolt against this census tax (Acts 5:37), founding the Zealot movement that advocated armed resistance. The denarius coin bore Caesar's image and the inscription 'Tiberius Caesar, son of the divine Augustus, Augustus'—claiming divinity offensive to Jewish monotheism. Zealots refused payment, considering it idolatry and treason against God's kingship. The question's political stakes were enormous: advocating payment would brand Jesus a Roman collaborator; opposing it would invite charges of sedition (which they later pursued: Luke 23:2).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does their flattering preamble illustrate that even enemies recognized Jesus' integrity and courage in speaking truth?
  2. What does the tax question reveal about the perceived conflict between civic duty and religious loyalty that Jesus will brilliantly resolve?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 36 words
οἱ1 of 36
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δὲ2 of 36

And

G1161

but, and, etc

ἐλθόντες3 of 36

when they were come

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

λέγουσιν4 of 36

they say

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

αὐτῷ5 of 36

unto him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Διδάσκαλε6 of 36

Master

G1320

an instructor (genitive case or specially)

οἴδαμεν7 of 36

we know

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

ὅτι8 of 36

that

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ἀληθὴς9 of 36

true

G227

true (as not concealing)

εἶ10 of 36

thou art

G1488

thou art

καὶ11 of 36

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

οὔ12 of 36

carest

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

μέλει13 of 36
G3199

to be of interest to, i.e., to concern (only third person singular present indicative used impersonally, it matters)

σοι14 of 36
G4671

to thee

περὶ15 of 36

for

G4012

properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas

οὐδενός·16 of 36

no man

G3762

not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing

οὔ17 of 36

carest

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

γὰρ18 of 36

for

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

βλέπεις19 of 36

thou regardest

G991

to look at (literally or figuratively)

εἰς20 of 36

the person

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

πρόσωπον21 of 36
G4383

the front (as being towards view), i.e., the countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication, presence, person

ἀνθρώπων22 of 36

of men

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

ἀλλ'23 of 36

but

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

ἐπ'24 of 36

in

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

ἀληθείας25 of 36

truth

G225

truth

τὴν26 of 36
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὁδὸν27 of 36

the way

G3598

a road; by implication, a progress (the route, act or distance); figuratively, a mode or means

τοῦ28 of 36
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεοῦ29 of 36

of God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

διδάσκεις·30 of 36

teachest

G1321

to teach (in the same broad application)

ἔξεστιν31 of 36

Is it lawful

G1832

so also ???? <pronunciation strongs="ex-on'"/> neuter present participle of the same (with or without some form of g1510 expressed); impersonally, it

κῆνσον32 of 36

tribute

G2778

properly, an enrollment ("census"), i.e., (by implication) a tax

Καίσαρι33 of 36

to Caesar

G2541

caesar, a title of the roman emperor

δοῦναι34 of 36

to give

G1325

to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)

35 of 36

or

G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

οὔ36 of 36

carest

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Mark. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Mark 12:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Mark 12:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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