“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?”
My Notes
What Does Mark 12:14 Mean?
The Pharisees and Herodians approach Jesus with flattery that is both technically accurate and strategically manipulative: "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." Every word is correct. The intention behind every word is hostile.
The irony is extraordinary: they describe Jesus perfectly while trying to trap Him. He is true. He doesn't care about human opinion. He doesn't regard persons (show partiality). He teaches God's way in truth. Their description is the best summary of Jesus' character in the Gospels — and they meant none of it sincerely.
The trap follows: is it lawful to pay tribute to Caesar? A yes alienates the people (who hated Roman taxation). A no gives Rome grounds for arrest. Jesus' answer (verse 17 — render unto Caesar) escapes the trap by reframing the question entirely.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Have you ever been flattered with accurate words that had hostile intentions behind them?
- 2.What does the Pharisees' ability to describe Jesus perfectly (while rejecting Him) teach about the gap between knowing truth and submitting to it?
- 3.How do you discern the difference between genuine affirmation and strategic flattery?
- 4.Is there a truth about Jesus you can articulate clearly but haven't fully surrendered to?
Devotional
They described Him perfectly. And they meant it as a trap.
"Thou art true. Thou carest for no man. Thou regardest not persons. Thou teachest the way of God in truth." That's the most accurate character reference anyone gives Jesus in the Gospels. And it came from people who were trying to destroy Him.
The irony is razor-sharp. They're saying exactly the right things about Jesus for exactly the wrong reasons. The flattery is technically flawless — every adjective is correct. But the intention is hostile. They're buttering Him up for a question designed to force Him into a lose-lose situation.
And Jesus isn't fooled for a second. He knows their hypocrisy (verse 15). The most accurate words about Him are spoken by the most insincere mouths. And He sees right through it.
There's a lesson here about flattery: sometimes the nicest things people say about you are the most dangerous. When someone tells you exactly what you want to hear — especially before they ask you for something — pay attention to the motive behind the words. Accurate flattery is still flattery. True words can serve false purposes.
Jesus' enemies knew who He was. They could describe Him precisely. They just didn't submit to what they described. Knowing the truth about someone and surrendering to it are two very different things.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
And they brought it,.... The penny, which was a Roman one, and worth seven pence halfpenny of our money:
and he saith…
When the enemies of Christ, who thirsted for his blood, could not find occasion against him from what he said against…
Master, we know This was said in a spirit of hypocritical flattery, as though they were ready to pay Him honour as the…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture