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Render to Caesar

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 January 2010

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Summary

In the context of Jesus's ministry in the outer court of the Temple during his last week in Jerusalem Mark (followed by the two other synoptic evangelists) records this incident:

They send to him some of the Pharisees and the Herodians to catch him in a statement. They come and say to him, ‘Teacher, we know that you are true and court no one's favour: you do not regard anyone's status, but teach the way of God truly. Is it permissible to give tribute to Caesar or not? Shall we give it, or shall we not give it?’ Knowing that they were acting a part he said to them: ‘Why do you try (to catch) me (like this)? Bring me a denarius; let me see it.’ They brought him one; and he says to them, ‘Whose image is this? Whose name is inscribed (on the coin)?’ ‘Caesar's’, said they. So Jesus said ‘Give Caesar's property back to Caesar; give God what belongs to God.’ They were lost in amazement at him.

While the point of the incident is preserved in all three synoptic records, it is generalised in later stages of the tradition. Thus, in Papyrus Egerton 2, it appears in the form:

They came to him and tested him with a question: ‘Master Jesus, we know that you have come from God, for the things which you do bear witness beyond all the prophets. […]

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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 1984

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