Later, they sent some of the Pharisees and HerodiansThe Pharisees were a Jewish religious group known for their strict adherence to the Law of Moses and the oral traditions. They were influential in the synagogues and among the common people. The Herodians, on the other hand, were a political group that supported the Herodian dynasty, which was aligned with Roman rule. The collaboration between these two groups is significant because they typically had opposing views; the Pharisees were generally anti-Roman, while the Herodians supported Roman authority. Their alliance here indicates the seriousness of their intent to challenge Jesus, as they were willing to set aside their differences to confront a common perceived threat.
to catch Jesus in His words
The phrase "to catch" suggests a trap or a snare, indicating malicious intent. The goal was to find a reason to accuse Jesus, either religiously or politically, to discredit Him or bring Him under Roman scrutiny. This reflects the growing tension between Jesus and the religious leaders, who felt threatened by His teachings and popularity. The use of words as a means of entrapment highlights the wisdom and discernment required by Jesus to navigate these challenges. This scenario is reminiscent of other biblical instances where God's servants faced traps, such as Daniel in the lion's den (Daniel 6) or the attempts to trap Jeremiah (Jeremiah 18:18). Jesus' ability to evade these traps demonstrates His divine wisdom and authority, fulfilling prophecies of the Messiah's wisdom and understanding (Isaiah 11:2).
Persons / Places / Events
1.
PhariseesA religious group in Judaism known for strict adherence to the Law and traditions. They often opposed Jesus due to His teachings, which challenged their interpretations and authority.
2.
HerodiansA political group that supported Herod Antipas, the Roman-appointed ruler of Galilee. They were more politically motivated and often collaborated with the Pharisees against Jesus, despite differing ideologies.
3.
JesusThe central figure of the New Testament, whose teachings and actions often put Him at odds with religious and political leaders of the time.
4.
JerusalemThe city where this event takes place, a significant location for Jewish religious life and the setting for many of Jesus' teachings and confrontations with religious leaders.
5.
TrapThe event involves an attempt by the Pharisees and Herodians to trap Jesus in His words, seeking to discredit Him or find grounds for His arrest.
Teaching Points
Discernment in OppositionJesus demonstrates discernment in recognizing the intentions of those who oppose Him. As believers, we should seek wisdom to discern the motives of others, especially when faced with challenges to our faith.
Wisdom in SpeechJesus' response to the Pharisees and Herodians shows the importance of wise and thoughtful speech. We should strive to speak truthfully and wisely, especially when our words are scrutinized.
Balancing Faith and Civic DutyThe encounter raises questions about the relationship between faith and civic responsibilities. Christians are called to honor God while respecting earthly authorities, finding a balance that aligns with biblical principles.
Unity in AdversityThe unlikely alliance between the Pharisees and Herodians against Jesus highlights how opposition can unite disparate groups. Believers should be aware of how opposition to the Gospel can manifest and remain steadfast in their faith.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Mark 12:13?
2.How can we discern flattery from genuine praise in our daily interactions?
3.What does Mark 12:13 teach about handling deceitful intentions with wisdom?
4.How does Jesus' response in Mark 12:13 reflect Proverbs 26:4-5?
5.In what ways can we apply Jesus' discernment in Mark 12:13 today?
6.How can we prepare to face challenges to our faith like in Mark 12:13?
7.Why did the Pharisees and Herodians try to trap Jesus in Mark 12:13?
8.What does Mark 12:13 reveal about the relationship between religious and political authorities?
9.How does Mark 12:13 challenge the integrity of religious leaders?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Mark 12?
11.Mark 12:13–17: If Jesus endorses paying taxes to an oppressive regime, how does that square with calls for justice elsewhere in Scripture?
12.Who were the Herodians in the Bible?
13.Mark 13 strongly predicts imminent tribulation; how do we explain the apparent delay or non-occurrence of these end-time events from a historical perspective?
14.What did Jesus mean by "Render to Caesar"?What Does Mark 12:13 Mean
Later• The adverb signals a real moment on the calendar of Passion Week, immediately after Jesus’ parable of the wicked tenants (Mark 12:1-12).
• Religious leaders had just “realized He had spoken the parable against them” (Mark 12:12), yet “they feared the crowd,” so they bided their time.
• Parallel accounts confirm the same sequence: “Then the Pharisees went and plotted together” (Matthew 22:15).
• Scripture shows that God’s sovereign timetable governs every move (John 7:30;Acts 2:23).
they sent• The Sanhedrin did not come personally; they delegated, preserving plausible deniability—like Jezebel sending letters in Ahab’s name (1 Kings 21:8-10).
• This covert tactic fulfills the Psalmist’s lament: “The wicked plot against the righteous” (Psalm 37:12).
• Their mission underscores human scheming versus divine purpose, echoingGenesis 37:13 when Jacob “sent” Joseph, setting in motion salvation through apparent betrayal.
some of the Pharisees and Herodians• Pharisees championed strict Torah observance; Herodians backed Rome-installed Herod. Normally rivals, they unite against Christ, just as “the kings of the earth take their stand together against the LORD and against His Anointed” (Psalm 2:2).
• Mark earlier notes the same coalition plotting “how they might destroy Him” (Mark 3:6).
• Their alliance highlights the breadth of opposition Jesus faced—from religious purists to political pragmatists—fulfillingIsaiah 53:3: “He was despised and rejected by men.”
to catch Jesus• Their stated objective was entrapment, not honest inquiry. Luke reports the identical intent: “They watched Him and sent spies…in order to catch Him in something He said” (Luke 20:20).
• The verb implies a hunter’s snare, recallingJeremiah 5:26: “Wicked men lie in wait; like fowlers they set traps.”
• Such hostility again proves Jesus’ foreknowledge inMark 10:33 that He would be “handed over to the chief priests and scribes.”
in His words• They hoped to twist His own statements into grounds for accusation—mirroringPsalm 56:5-6: “All day long they distort my words…they watch my steps.”
• Prior attempts had failed (Mark 11:27-33), so they now target the sensitive issue of paying Caesar—a question designed to pit Him against either Rome or the people (Matthew 22:17).
• Yet Jesus, “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14), would answer with wisdom that leaves them “amazed” and speechless (Mark 12:17; cf.Proverbs 26:4-5).
summaryMark 12:13 captures a calculated, escalating effort by Israel’s leaders to entrap the Messiah. Delegates from opposing camps—Pharisees and Herodians—join forces, sent at an exact moment in God’s timetable, aiming to ensnare Jesus through His own words. Their plot underscores humanity’s rebellion and Christ’s unwavering wisdom, setting the stage for the ultimate confrontation that fulfills God’s redemptive plan.
(13)
They send unto him.--In Matthew the Pharisees are said to have "taken counsel," or "held a council," and then to have sent their disciples. Here the act appears more definitely as the result of a coalition of the two parties named. On the narrative as a whole, see Notes on
Matthew 20:15-22.
To catch.--Better,to entrap.
Verses 13, 14. - St. Matthew (
Matthew 22:15) tells us that "the Pharisees took counsel how they might ensnare him (
ὅπως αὐτὸν παγιδεύσωσιν) in his talk;" namely, by proposing to him captious and insidious questions, which, in whatever way he might answer them, might expose him to danger. On this occasion they enlisted the Heredians to join them in their attack upon him. These Herodians were a sect of the Jews who supported the house of Herod, and were in favor of giving tribute to the Roman Caesar. They were so called at first from Herod the Great, who was a great supporter of Caesar. Tertullian, St. Jerome, and others say that these Herodiaus thought that Herod was the promised Messiah, because they saw that in him the scepter had departed from Judah (
Genesis 49:10). Herod encouraged these flatterers, and so put to death the infants at Bethlehem, that he might thus get rid of Christ, lest any other than himself might be regarded as Christ. They said at it was on this account that he rebuilt the temple with so much magnificence. The Pharisees took, of course, altogether the other side, and stood forward as the supporters of the Law of Moses and of their national freedom. So, in order that they might ensnare him, they sent to him their disciples with the Herodians, and in the most artful manner proposed to him, apparently in good faith, a question which answer it how he might, would, as they hoped, throw him upon the horns of a dilemma. If he said that tribute ought to be given to Caesar, he would expose himself to the malice of the Jewish people, who prided themselves upon their freedom. If, on the other hand, he said that tribute ought not to be given to Caesar, he would incur the wrath of Caesar and of the Roman power.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
Later,Καὶ(Kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.they sentἀποστέλλουσιν(apostellousin)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 649:From apo and stello; set apart, i.e. to send out literally or figuratively.someτινας(tinas)Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5100:Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.of theτῶν(tōn)Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.PhariseesΦαρισαίων(Pharisaiōn)Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 5330:Of Hebrew origin; a separatist, i.e. Exclusively religious; a Pharisean, i.e. Jewish sectary.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.HerodiansἩρῳδιανῶν(Hērōdianōn)Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 2265:The Herodians, the partisans of Herod (Antipas). Plural of a derivative of Herodes; Herodians, i.e. Partisans of Herod.toἵνα(hina)Conjunction
Strong's 2443:In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.catchἀγρεύσωσιν(agreusōsin)Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 64:To catch, capture. From agra; to hunt, i.e. to entrap.[Jesus]αὐτὸν(auton)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.in [His] words.λόγῳ(logō)Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3056:From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression.
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NT Gospels: Mark 12:13 They sent some of the Pharisees (Mar Mk Mr) 
