Picture yourself in the bustling streets of Jerusalem, where Jesus captivates crowds with vivid stories and profound wisdom. In Mark 12, He reveals deep truths through parables, addresses tricky questions about taxes, and honors a widow's humble gift - leaving everyone both challenged and inspired.
The Reading: Mark 12
World English Bible1 He began to speak to them in parables. “A man planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a pit for the wine press, built a tower, rented it out to a farmer, and went into another country.
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2 When it was time, he sent a servant to the farmer to get from the farmer his share of the fruit of the vineyard.
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3 They took him, beat him, and sent him away empty.
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4 Again, he sent another servant to them; and they threw stones at him, wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully treated.
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5 Again he sent another; and they killed him; and many others, beating some, and killing some.
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6 Therefore still having one, his beloved son, he sent him last to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’
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7 But those farmers said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’
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8 They took him, killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard.
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9 What therefore will the lord of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the farmers, and will give the vineyard to others.
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10 Haven’t you even read this Scripture: ‘The stone which the builders rejected, the same was made the head of the corner.
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11 This was from the Lord, it is marvelous in our eyes’?”
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12 They tried to seize him, but they feared the multitude; for they perceived that he spoke the parable against them. They left him, and went away.
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13 They sent some of the Pharisees and the Herodians to him, that they might trap him with words.
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14 When they had come, they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you are honest, and don’t defer to anyone; for you aren’t partial to anyone, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?
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15 Shall we give, or shall we not give?” But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, “Why do you test me? Bring me a denarius, that I may see it.”
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16 They brought it. He said to them, “Whose is this image and inscription?” They said to him, “Caesar’s.”
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17 Jesus answered them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” They marveled greatly at him.
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18 There came to him Sadducees, who say that there is no resurrection. They asked him, saying,
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19 “Teacher, Moses wrote to us, ‘If a man’s brother dies, and leaves a wife behind him, and leaves no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up offspring for his brother.’
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20 There were seven brothers. The first took a wife, and dying left no offspring.
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21 The second took her, and died, leaving no children behind him. The third likewise;
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22 and the seven took her and left no children. Last of all the woman also died.
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23 In the resurrection, when they rise, whose wife will she be of them? For the seven had her as a wife.”
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24 Jesus answered them, “Isn’t this because you are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God?
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25 For when they will rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.
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26 But about the dead, that they are raised; haven’t you read in the book of Moses, about the Bush, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’?
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27 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are therefore badly mistaken.”
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28 One of the scribes came, and heard them questioning together. Knowing that he had answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the greatest of all?”
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29 Jesus answered, “The greatest is, ‘Hear, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one:
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30 you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.
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31 The second is like this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
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32 The scribe said to him, “Truly, teacher, you have said well that he is one, and there is none other but he,
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33 and to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
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34 When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from God’s Kingdom.” No one dared ask him any question after that.
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35 Jesus responded, as he taught in the temple, “How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David?
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36 For David himself said in the Holy Spirit, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet.”’
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37 Therefore David himself calls him Lord, so how can he be his son?” The common people heard him gladly.
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38 In his teaching he said to them, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk in long robes, and to get greetings in the marketplaces,
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39 and the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts:
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40 those who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.”
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41 Jesus sat down opposite the treasury, and saw how the multitude cast money into the treasury. Many who were rich cast in much.
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42 A poor widow came, and she cast in two small brass coins, which equal a quadrans coin.
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43 He called his disciples to himself, and said to them, “Most certainly I tell you, this poor widow gave more than all those who are giving into the treasury,
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44 for they all gave out of their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, gave all that she had to live on.”
What This Chapter Is Really Saying
The Parable of the Tenants
Jesus begins by telling a parable about a man who plants a vineyard and rents it out to farmers. When he sends servants to collect his share of the harvest, they are brutally mistreated and even killed. Finally, he sends his beloved son, thinking the tenants will respect him, but they plot to kill him too, believing it will secure the inheritance for themselves. This story symbolizes how God sent prophets to His people, who were rejected, and ultimately, it foreshadows Jesus' own sacrifice.
The Question of Taxes
Next, some religious leaders try to trap Jesus with a tricky question about paying taxes to Caesar. They flatter Him first, but He sees through their hypocrisy. He asks them to show Him a coin and points out that it bears Caesar's image. His response - "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's" - leaves them astonished because it perfectly balances civic duty with spiritual obligation.
The Resurrection Debate
The Sadducees, who do not believe in the resurrection, challenge Jesus with a convoluted question about a woman who marries seven brothers. Jesus counters their misunderstanding by explaining that in the resurrection, life is different - people are like angels, beyond earthly relationships. He reinforces God's power by stating that He is the God of the living.
The Greatest Commandment
A scribe asks Jesus which commandment is the greatest. Jesus summarizes the law beautifully: to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself. The scribe agrees, acknowledging that these principles are more important than sacrifices. Jesus tells him he's not far from God's Kingdom.
Warning Against Hypocrisy
In His teaching, Jesus warns the people about the scribes who seek public admiration and exploit the vulnerable, emphasizing that their actions will lead to greater condemnation.
The Widow's Offering
Finally, Jesus observes the offerings at the temple. While the rich give large amounts, a poor widow gives two small coins - everything she has to live on. Jesus points out that her humble gift, given out of poverty, is worth more than the larger contributions, as it comes from a place of true sacrifice and love.
Why It Matters
The Value of Sacrifice
Mark 12 teaches us that it's not about the size of our contributions but the spirit in which we give. The widow's offering shows that true generosity often comes from those who have little, highlighting the heart's intentions behind our actions.
Integrity and Wisdom
When Jesus navigates tricky questions, He demonstrates the importance of integrity and wisdom in confronting challenges. His emphasis on giving to God what is God's reminds us to prioritize our spiritual responsibilities even in our daily lives.
Love Above All
The greatest commandment - loving God and our neighbors - reminds us of our core purpose. This call to love is timeless and resonates in our communities today. As you explore faith, consider how you can embody this love in your own life.
If you're looking for a community that values love and generosity, find a church near you to connect with others on this journey of faith.
Coming Up Next: Mark 13
In the next part of our journey through Mark, we'll explore the prophetic words of Jesus regarding the end times. Buckle up for some deep teachings and revelations that challenge our understanding of the future!