Mark 12:13

Mark 12:13 says, And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words. The Pharisees were always attempting to find fault with Jesus so they could discredit His teachings at the least or kill Him at the best.  This time they came with some Herodians, who were Jews who supported Herod.  In their attempt to discredit Jesus Christ today, people will often ally themselves with others that they may not even associate with otherwise.  Verse fourteen adds, 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? They began by what they thought was flattering Jesus with false praise, but in actuality they spoke the truth. Jesus did speak the truth without any regard to who the person was that He was speaking to.   He did not treat the rich and powerful any differently than He did the poor and powerless, and neither should we today.  If we are gathered together to worship God, and someone famous in the eyes of the world comes to the worship service, do we treat them differently than we do the poorest unknown who comes to worship with us?  This should never be the case.  They then said without really believing it something else that was true, and that was that Jesus taught the way of God in truth, and so should we as Christians.  They then asked if it was lawful for Jewish people to pay tribute or taxes, to Caesar.  They really didn't care what He answered, because they figured either way, they could discredit Him either with the Jews or with Caesar.  People today will often do everything that they can to discredit Christians with one group or another, and they really don't care which.  Verse fifteen states, 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.  Jesus knew their hypocrisy, just as He will know it today.  Verse sixteen adds, And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar's.  He asked for a coin and asked whose image and inscription were on it, and they said Caesars.  This was the only answer they could give.  There was no room for debate about it.  If we answer with God's truth, there really can be no debate about it.  There may be arguments, but there can be no debate.  This is why it is so important to know what God's word really says.  Verse seventeen continues, And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him. Jesus then told them to render unto Caesar the things that are Ceasar's and to God the things that are God's.  Although everything really belongs to God, we are still to pay our taxes today.  They could only marvel at Jesus, and we should still today.