Mark 12:14 ““Teacher,” they said, “we know that You are honest and seek favor from…”

Mark 12:14

“Teacher,” they said, “we know that You are honest and seek favor from no one. Indeed, You are impartial and teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay them or not?”

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

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 Cæsar, or not?

World English Bible

When they had come, they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you are honest, and don’t defer to anyone; for you aren’t partial to anyone, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?

American Standard Version

And when they were come, they say unto him, Teacher, we know that thou art true, and carest not for any one; for thou regardest not the person of men, but of a truth teachest the way of God: Is it lawful to give tribute unto Cæsar, or not?

Geneva Bible 1599

And when they came, they saide vnto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou considerest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God truely, Is it lawfull to giue tribute to Cesar, or not?

Darby Translation

And they come and say to him, Teacher, we know that thou art true, and carest not for any one; for thou regardest not men's person, but teachest the way of God with truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar or not?

Young's Literal Translation

and they having come, say to him, 'Teacher, we have known that thou art true, and thou art not caring for any one, for thou dost not look to the face of men, but in truth the way of God dost teach; is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar or not? may we give, or may we not give?'

Bible in Basic English

And when they had come, they said to him, Master, we are certain that you are true, and have no fear of anyone: you have no respect for a man's position, but you are teaching the true way of God: Is it right to give taxes to Caesar or not?

.mt-body { max-height: none !important; -webkit-mask-image: none !important; mask-image: none !important; } .mt-bar { display: none !important; } .o-trans::after { display: block !important; }

Cross references

“Master”

Mark 14:45 Psalm 12:2–4 Psalm 55:21 Psalm 120:2 Proverbs 26:23–26 Jeremiah 42:20

Mark 14:45 · BSB

Going directly to Jesus, he said, “Rabbi!” and kissed Him.

Psalm 12:2–4 · BSB

They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and a double heart.

Psalm 55:21 · BSB

His speech is smooth as butter, but war is in his heart. His words are softer than oil, yet they are swords unsheathed.

Psalm 120:2 · BSB

Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips and a deceitful tongue.

Proverbs 26:23–26 · BSB

Like glaze covering an earthen vessel are burning lips and a wicked heart.

Jeremiah 42:20 · BSB

For you have deceived yourselves by sending me to the LORD your God, saying, ‘Pray to the LORD our God on our behalf, and as for all that the LORD our God says, tell it to us and we will do it.’

“we know”

John 7:18 2 Corinthians 2:2 2 Corinthians 2:17 2 Corinthians 5:11 1 Thessalonians 2:4 2 Corinthians 4:1

John 7:18 · BSB

He who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory, but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is a man of truth; in Him there is no falsehood.

2 Corinthians 2:2 · BSB

For if I grieve you, who is left to cheer me but those whom I have grieved?

2 Corinthians 2:17 · BSB

For we are not like so many others, who peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as men sent from God.

2 Corinthians 5:11 · BSB

Therefore, since we know what it means to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is clear to God, and I hope it is clear to your conscience as well.

1 Thessalonians 2:4 · BSB

Instead, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, not in order to please men but God, who examines our hearts.

2 Corinthians 4:1 · BSB

Therefore, since God in His mercy has given us this ministry, we do not lose heart.

“carest”

2 Corinthians 5:16 Galatians 1:10 Galatians 2:6 Galatians 2:11–14 2 Chronicles 18:13 Isaiah 50:7–9

2 Corinthians 5:16 · BSB

So from now on we regard no one according to the flesh. Although we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.

Galatians 1:10 · BSB

Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Galatians 2:6 · BSB

But as for the highly esteemed—whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism —those leaders added nothing to me.

Galatians 2:11–14 · BSB

When Cephas came to Antioch, however, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.

2 Chronicles 18:13 · BSB

But Micaiah said, “As surely as the LORD lives, I will speak whatever my God tells me.”

Isaiah 50:7–9 · BSB

Because the Lord GOD helps Me, I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set My face like flint, and I know that I will not be put to shame.

“for thou”

Exodus 23:2–6 Deuteronomy 16:19 2 Chronicles 19:7

Exodus 23:2–6 · BSB

You shall not follow the crowd in wrongdoing. When you testify in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd.

Deuteronomy 16:19 · BSB

Do not deny justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous.

2 Chronicles 19:7 · BSB

And now, may the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful what you do, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.”

“is it”

Luke 20:22 Nehemiah 9:37 Matthew 17:25–27 Matthew 22:17 Luke 23:2 Romans 13:6

Luke 20:22 · BSB

Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

Nehemiah 9:37 · BSB

Its abundant harvest goes to the kings You have set over us because of our sins. And they rule over our bodies and our livestock as they please. We are in great distress.

Matthew 17:25–27 · BSB

“Yes,” he answered. When Peter entered the house, Jesus preempted him. “What do you think, Simon?” He asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs and taxes: from their own sons, or from others?”

Matthew 22:17 · BSB

So tell us what You think: Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

Luke 23:2 · BSB

And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man subverting our nation, forbidding payment of taxes to Caesar, and proclaiming Himself to be Christ, a King.”

Romans 13:6 · BSB

This is also why you pay taxes. For the authorities are God’s servants, who devote themselves to their work.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

13Later, they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to catch Jesus in His words.

15But Jesus saw through their hypocrisy and said, “Why are you testing Me? Bring Me a denarius to inspect.”

Read Mark 12