Mark 12 · Verse 17

Mark 12:17

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.
Mark 12:17, King James Version

Mark 12:17 in other translations

BSBThen Jesus told them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” And they marveled at Him.
WEBJesus answered them, “Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” They marveled greatly at him.
ASVAnd 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.
YLTand 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.
DARBYAnd Jesus answering said to them, Pay what is Caesar's to Caesar, and what is God's to God. And they wondered at him.
BBEAnd 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.
WebsterAnd Jesus answering, said to them, Render to Cesar the things that are Cesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they wondered at him.

What does Mark 12:17 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
17. And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Cæsar the things that are Cæsar's--Putting it in this general form, it was impossible for sedition itself to dispute it, and yet it dissolved the snare. and to God the things that are God's--How much is there in this profound but to them startling addition to the maxim, and how incomparable is the whole for fulness, brevity, clearness, weight! and they marvelled at him--"at His answer, and held their peace" (Lu 20:26), "and left Him, and went their way" (Mt 22:22). The Resurrection (Mr 12:18-27).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 17.

(z) "to Caesar" Mt 17:25-27, Rom 13:7, 1Pet 2:17 (a) "to God" Eccl 5:4,5, Mal 1:6

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 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…

Read the full comment on Mark 12:13-17 →

Mark 12:17 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ὁho<the>G3588
ἸησοῦςIēsousJesusG2424
εἶπενeipensaidG2036
αὐτοῖς·autoisto them;G846
τὰtathe [things]G3588
ΚαίσαροςKaisarosof CaesarG2541
ἀπόδοτεapodotedo give backG591
ΚαίσαριKaisarito CaesarG2541
καὶkaiandG2532
τὰtathe [things]G3588
τοῦtou<of the>G3588
θεοῦtheouof GodG2316
τῷtō<to the>G3588
θεῷ.theōto God.G2316
καὶkaiAndG2532
ἐξεθαύμαζονexethaumazonthey were amazed
ἐπ᾽ep᾽atG1909
αὐτῷ.¶autōHim.G846

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Mark 12:17

  • Romans 13:7

    Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

    For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

  • 1 Corinthians 14:24-25

    But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.

  • 1 Peter 2:17

    Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

  • Acts 4:19-20

    But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

  • Matthew 22:22

    When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.

  • Proverbs 24:21

    My son, fear thou the Lord and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:

  • Matthew 22:46

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

  • Job 5:12-13

    He disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise. He taketh the wise in their own craftiness: and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong.

  • Romans 12:1

    I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

  • Malachi 1:6

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

  • Romans 6:13

    Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Render.
Pr 24:21; Mt 17:25-27; Ro 13:7; 1Pe 2:17
and to.
30; Pr 23:26; Ec 5:4,5; Mal 1:6; Ac 4:19,20; Ro 6:13; 12:1
1Co 6:19,20; 2Co 5:14,15
And they.
Job 5:12,13; Mt 22:22,33,46; 1Co 14:24,25

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Mark 12:16

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

  • Mark 12:17

    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.

  • Mark 12:18

    Then come unto him the Sadducees, which say there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying,

Read all of Mark 12

Mark 12:17 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
Y respondiendo Jesús, les dijo: Dad lo que es de César á César; y lo que es de Dios, á Dios. Y se maravillaron de ello.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
Et Jésus, répondant, leur dit: Rendez les choses de César à César, et les choses de Dieu à Dieu! Et ils étaient dans l’étonnement à son sujet.
German
Elberfelder 1871
Und Jesus antwortete und sprach zu ihnen: So gebet dem Kaiser, was des Kaisers ist, und Gott, was Gottes ist. Und sie verwunderten sich über ihn.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate
Respondens autem Jesus dixit illis: Reddite igitur quæ sunt Cæsaris, Cæsari: et quæ sunt Dei, Deo. Et mirabantur super eo.