Mark 12:9-179What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others. 10And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner: 11This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? 12And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way. 13And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words. 14And 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? 15Shall 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. 16And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar's. 17And 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. (Mark 12:9‑17)
EXERCISING the consciences of the Jewish rulers, Jesus had given them the parable of the vineyard, speaking of that nation’s utter rejection of God’s grace—even to casting out and killing His only Son. He then asks the question: “What shall therefore the Lord of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others.”
Nationally, Israel was cast out of the place of privilege and blessing because of all that was expressed in this parable, and the Lord further tells them that the prophecy of Psalm 118:2222The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. (Psalm 118:22) was now coming to pass: “The Stone which the builders refused is become the headstone of the corner.” He is now the Cornerstone in a new spiritual house, composed of all who through faith accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour—Jew and Gentile alike. The rulers knew that the parable spoke of them (as unfaithful husbandmen), and sought again to lay hold of Him. However, being still fearful of the people’s reaction, they leave Him and “go their way.” What a contrast their way was to those individuals of whom we have been reading in past chapters, who tasted the love and grace of that blessed Son of God—the humble Servant—and whose lives were then marked by following Him in His way. Dear reader, in which way are you walking?
“And they send unto Him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch Him in His words. And when they were come, they say.... Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?” When these two groups united to oppose Jesus they made a strange companionship, for in teaching and practices they were opposed to one another. But as enemies of Jesus they come with united force to try “to catch Him in His words.” After a flattering introduction, they propose their question and the Lord replies: “Why tempt ye Me? bring Me a penny, that I may see it.” Although He was the Creator of the universe, yet this lowly Servant had not even a penny to claim His own!
“And He saith unto them, Whose is this image...? And they said unto Him, Caesar’s.”
The very question as to whose image appeared thereon must have humiliated these proud people, for Caesar’s imprint bore witness to God’s judgment against them, in putting them under the domination of Rome. “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” They could not deny the wisdom of this reply and marvel at Him, as well they might.
The Spirit of God, in leaving this passage for us of a later day, must surely have known that similar questions would be raised in the minds of believers, and the simple statement of Jesus makes it plain for all of us now. In our daily lives we are faced with responsibilities to governmental power and we are obedient to God’s Word when we render proper dues to these authorities. But there is no compromising between what is Caesar’s and what is God’s, and we are at fault if we try to mix the two.
Let us, who know the Saviour, walk carefully, “providing things honest in the sight of all men” and remembering we are also told: “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers.” Romans 13:11Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. (Romans 13:1). But above all, never neglect that which is due God in our lives. If there is a conflict between the world’s demands and the things of God, our scriptural guidance is: “We ought to obey God rather than men.” Acts 5:2929Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:29).
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