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Mark 12: Paying Your Taxes

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Read Mark chapter 12

Introduction: In Mark 12, Jesus continues to teach and confront the religious leaders in Jerusalem. He tells a parable that critiques their leadership, answers questions about taxes, resurrection, and the greatest commandment, and warns against the scribes’ hypocrisy. Throughout the chapter, Jesus points out the importance of justice, love, and humility, challenging those who follow Him to examine their hearts and actions, as we should all do who profess we know Jesus.

I. The Parable of the Tenants (Mark 12:1-12)
Jesus tells a parable about a vineyard owner who sends servants to collect the fruit from the tenants, but the tenants mistreat and kill the servants. Finally, the owner sends his son, who is also killed. This parable is a clear indictment of the religious leaders, who have rejected God’s messengers and will also reject his Son.

  • Isaiah 5:1-7: This passage also uses the imagery of a vineyard to represent Israel, and the vineyard’s failure to produce fruit represents the people’s failure to live justly.
  • Matthew 21:33-46: Matthew’s account of this parable emphasizes the same themes of judgment and rejection of God’s Son.
  • Acts 4:11: Peter quotes Psalm 118:22, which Jesus also references in this parable, to show that Jesus is the cornerstone that the religious leaders have rejected.

II. Paying Taxes to Caesar (Mark 12:13-17)
The Pharisees and Herodians try to trap Jesus with a question about paying taxes to Caesar. Jesus asks for a denarius and points out that it bears Caesar’s image, and says, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” This answer destroys their trap points to the distinction between earthly and heavenly authority.

  • Matthew 22:15-22: Matthew’s account of this encounter also emphasizes Jesus’ wisdom in navigating the tricky question.
  • Romans 13:1-7: Paul instructs believers to submit to governing authorities because they are established by God.
  • 1 Peter 2:13-17: Peter also teaches that Christians should submit to authorities and honor the emperor.

III. The Sadducees’ Question about the Resurrection (Mark 12:18-27)
The Sadducees, who do not believe in the resurrection, ask Jesus a question about marriage in the afterlife. Jesus responds that they are mistaken because they do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. He explains that in the resurrection, people will not marry, but will be like angels in heaven.

  • Luke 20:27-40: Luke’s account of this encounter emphasizes that God is the God of the living, not the dead.
  • 1 Corinthians 15:12-34: Paul defends the reality of the resurrection and explains that it is essential to the Christian faith.
  • Revelation 20:4-6: John’s vision of the future includes the resurrection of believers to reign with Christ.

IV. The Greatest Commandment (Mark 12:28-34)
A scribe asks Jesus which commandment is the greatest. Jesus responds with the Shema, the command to love God with all one’s heart, soul, mind, and strength, and adds that the second greatest commandment is to love one’s neighbor as oneself. The scribe agrees with Jesus, and Jesus commends him for being close to the kingdom of God.

  • Deuteronomy 6:4-5: The Shema is a central confession of faith in Judaism, emphasizing the importance of loving God.
  • Leviticus 19:18: The command to love one’s neighbor is part of the holiness code in Leviticus, which Jesus affirms as central to the law.
  • Matthew 22:34-40: Matthew’s account of this encounter also emphasizes the importance of love as the fulfillment of the law.

V. Jesus Criticizes the Scribes (Mark 12:35-40)
Jesus challenges the common understanding of the Messiah as David’s son by quoting Psalm 110:1, which shows that the Messiah is also David’s lord. He then criticizes the scribes for their hypocrisy, pride, and their exploitation of widows.

  • Psalm 110:1: This Psalm is a key messianic text, which Jesus uses to show that the Messiah is greater than David.
  • Luke 20:41-47: Luke’s account of this teaching also emphasizes Jesus’ critique of the scribes’ hypocrisy.
  • Matthew 23:1-36: Matthew’s account of Jesus’ criticism of the religious leaders is even more extensive, condemning their hypocrisy and lack of justice and mercy.

Conclusion: Mark 12 teaches on several different run-in’s  between Jesus and the religious leaders, in which Jesus challenges their understanding of authority, resurrection, and the greatest commandment. He points out the importance of justice, love, and humility, calling his listeners to examine their hearts and actions. This chapter calls on believers to consider our own understanding of these topics and to live in light of God’s kingdom values, if we plan on being in heaven, we need to learn to be heavenly minded.

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The Nicolaitans were a group mentioned in the book of Revelation in the New Testament, specifically in Revelation 2:6, 2:15. They were a heretical sect in the early Christian church that was condemned by Jesus in his messages to the churches of Ephesus and Pergamum. The exact beliefs and practices of the Nicolaitans are not clearly described in the Bible, but early church leaders such as Irenaeus and Clement of Alexandria suggested that they promoted sexual immorality and the consumption of food sacrificed to idols. Some scholars believe that the Nicolaitans were followers of a false teacher named Nicolas, who may have been one of the original seven deacons appointed by the apostles in Acts 6:5. However, the exact identity and teachings of the Nicolaitans remain a matter of debate among theologians and historians.