Mark 12:14

KJV1611 – Modern English

When they had come, they said to him, 'Teacher, we know that you are true, and do not care about anyone; for you do not regard the person of men, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

Οἱ δὲ ἐλθόντες, λέγουσιν αὐτῷ, Διδάσκαλε, οἴδαμεν ὅτι ἀληθὴς εἶ καὶ οὐ μέλει σοι περὶ οὐδενός: οὐ γὰρ βλέπεις εἰς πρόσωπον ἀνθρώπων, ἀλλʼ ἐπʼ ἀληθείας τὴν ὁδὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ διδάσκεις: Ἔξεστιν κῆνσον Καίσαρι δοῦναι, ἢ οὔ; ⋄Δῶμεν, ἥ μὴ δῶμεν;

Transliteration

Hoi de elthontes, they-legousin to-him, Didaskale, we-oidamen that alēthēs ei and not melei to-you peri oudenos: not for you-blepeis eis prosōpon anthrōpōn, but epʼ alētheias tēn hodon tou Theou didaskeis: Exestin kēnson Kaisari dounai, or not? Should-we-dōmen, or not dōmen?

Grammar Details

• *Hoi de*: nominative plural masculine article + postpositive particle - but they/and they
• *elthontes*: aorist active participle, nominative plural masculine - having come
• *legousin*: present active indicative, 3rd plural - they say
• *Didaskale*: vocative singular masculine - Teacher
• *oidamen*: perfect active indicative, 1st plural - we know
• *alēthēs*: nominative singular masculine adjective - true/truthful
• *ei*: present active indicative, 2nd singular - you are
• *melei*: present active indicative, 3rd singular - it concerns
• *peri oudenos*: preposition + genitive pronoun - about no one/nothing
• *blepeis*: present active indicative, 2nd singular - you look
• *eis prosōpon*: preposition + accusative singular neuter - at face/appearance
• *anthrōpōn*: genitive plural masculine - of men/people
• *epʼ alētheias*: preposition + genitive singular feminine - in truth
• *tēn hodon*: accusative singular feminine article + noun - the way
• *tou Theou*: genitive singular masculine article + noun - of God
• *didaskeis*: present active indicative, 2nd singular - you teach
• *Exestin*: present active indicative, 3rd singular impersonal - it is lawful
• *kēnson*: accusative singular masculine - tax/tribute
• *Kaisari*: dative singular masculine - to Caesar
• *dounai*: aorist active infinitive - to give
• *dōmen*: aorist active subjunctive, 1st plural - should we give

Word Meanings

• *elthontes*: having come/arrived
• *legousin*: they say/tell/speak
• *Didaskale*: Teacher/Master/Rabbi
• *oidamen*: we know/understand
• *alēthēs*: true/truthful/honest
• *melei*: it concerns/it matters/you care
• *blepeis*: you look/see/regard
• *prosōpon*: face/appearance/presence
• *anthrōpōn*: of men/of people/of humans
• *alētheias*: truth/reality
• *hodon*: way/path/road
• *Theou*: of God/divine
• *didaskeis*: you teach/instruct
• *Exestin*: it is lawful/permitted/right
• *kēnson*: tax/tribute/census tax
• *Kaisari*: to Caesar/to the emperor
• *dounai*: to give/to pay
• *dōmen*: should we give/may we give

Other Translations

• Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

  When they came, they said to him, 'Teacher, we know that you are truthful and you don't show partiality to anyone, for you do not regard the appearance of people but teach the way of God truthfully. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay or shouldn't we?'

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  And 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?

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  And when they were come, they say unto him, Teacher, we know that thou art true, and {G3756} carest not for any one; for thou regardest not {G1519} the person of men, but of a truth teachest the way of God: Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  And 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?

• Tyndale Bible (1526/1534)

  And assone as they were come they sayd vnto him: master we knowe yt thou arte true and carest for no man: for thou consyderest not the degre of men but teachest the waye of God truly: Ys it laufull to paye tribute to Cesar or not?

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  And they came, and sayde vnto hi: Master, we knowe that thou art true and carest for no man. For thou regardest not the outwarde appearaunce of men, but teachest ye waye of God truly. Is it laufull to geue tribute vnto the Emperoure, or not?

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  And when they came, they saide vnto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou considerest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God truly, Is it lawfull to giue tribute to Cesar, or not?

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  And assoone as they were come, they sayde vnto hym: Maister, we knowe that thou art true, & carest for no man, for thou considerest not the persons of men, but teachest the way of god truely: Is it lawfull to pay tribute to Caesar, or not?

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  And 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?

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  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?

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  and they having come, say to him, `Teacher, we have known that thou art true, and thou art not caring for any one, for thou dost not look to the face of men, but in truth the way of God dost teach; is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar or not? may we give, or may we not give?'

• American Standard Version (1901)

  And when they were come, they say unto him, Teacher, we know that thou art true, and carest not for any one; for thou regardest not the person of men, but of a truth teachest the way of God: Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?

• American Standard Version (1901)

  And when they were come, they say unto him, Teacher, we know that thou art true, and carest not for any one; for thou regardest not the person of men, but of a truth teachest the way of God: Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  And when they had come, they said to him, Master, we are certain that you are true, and have no fear of anyone: you have no respect for a man's position, but you are teaching the true way of God: Is it right to give taxes to Caesar or not?

• World English Bible (2000)

  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?

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  When they came they said to him,“Teacher, we know that you are truthful and do not court anyone’s favor, because you show no partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay or shouldn’t we?”

Referenced Verses

• Exod 23:2-6 : 2 You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to pervert justice by following the majority. 3 Nor shall you show favoritism to a poor man in his dispute. 4 If you encounter your enemy’s ox or donkey wandering away, you shall surely return it to him. 5 If you see the donkey of someone who hates you lying under its burden and you would refrain from helping it, you shall surely help him with it. 6 You shall not pervert the justice due to your poor in his dispute.
• Deut 16:19 : 19 You shall not pervert justice; you shall not show partiality, nor take a bribe: for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise, and perverts the words of the righteous.
• Deut 33:9-9 : 9 Who said to his father and to his mother, I have not seen him; neither did he acknowledge his brothers, nor knew his own children: for they have observed your word, and kept your covenant. 10 They shall teach Jacob your judgments, and Israel your law: they shall put incense before you, and whole burnt sacrifice upon your altar.
• 2 Chr 18:13 : 13 And Micaiah said, As the LORD lives, what my God says, that will I speak.
• 2 Chr 19:7 : 7 Therefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it, for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.
• Ezra 4:12-13 : 12 Be it known to the king, that the Jews who came up from you to us are come to Jerusalem, building the rebellious and the bad city, and have set up the walls and joined the foundations. 13 Be it known now to the king, that, if this city is built, and the walls set up again, then they will not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and so you will harm the revenue of the kings.
• Neh 9:37 : 37 And it yields much increase to the kings You have set over us because of our sins; also, they have dominion over our bodies and our cattle at their pleasure, and we are in great distress.
• Ps 12:2-4 : 2 They speak vanity everyone with his neighbor: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak. 3 The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaks proud things: 4 Who have said, With our tongue we will prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?
• Ps 55:21 : 21 The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.
• Ps 120:2 : 2 Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips and from a deceitful tongue.
• Prov 26:23-26 : 23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross. 24 He who hates others disguises it with his lips, and stores up deceit within him; 25 When he speaks kindly, do not believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart. 26 Though his hatred is concealed by deceit, his wickedness shall be exposed before the assembly.
• Isa 50:7-9 : 7 For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed. 8 He is near that justifies me; who will contend with me? Let us stand together: who is my adversary? Let him come near to me. 9 Behold, the Lord GOD will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? Lo, they all shall wear out like a garment; the moth shall eat them up.
• Jer 15:19-21 : 19 Therefore thus says the LORD, If you return, then I will bring you again, and you shall stand before me: and if you take forth the precious from the vile, you shall be as my mouth: let them return to you; but return not you to them. 20 And I will make you to this people a fortified brass wall: and they shall fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you: for I am with you to save you and to deliver you, says the LORD. 21 And I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem you out of the hand of the terrible.
• Jer 42:2-3 : 2 And said to Jeremiah the prophet, Let, we beseech you, our supplication be accepted before you, and pray for us to the LORD your God, even for all this remnant; (for we are left but a few out of many, as your eyes do see us:) 3 That the LORD your God may show us the way in which we may walk, and the thing that we may do.
• Jer 42:20 : 20 For you dissembled in your hearts, when you sent me to the LORD your God, saying, Pray for us to the LORD our God; and according to all that the LORD our God shall say, so declare to us, and we will do it.
• Ezek 2:6-7 : 6 And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them, nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you, and you dwell among scorpions: do not be afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they are a rebellious house. 7 And you shall speak my words to them, whether they will hear, or whether they will refuse: for they are most rebellious.
• Mic 3:8 : 8 But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the LORD, and of judgment, and of might, to declare to Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin.
• Matt 17:25-27 : 25 He said, Yes. And when he came into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or tribute? from their own children, or from strangers? 26 Peter said to him, From strangers. Jesus said to him, Then the children are free. 27 Nevertheless, lest we should offend them, go to the sea, and cast a hook, and take up the first fish that comes up; and when you have opened its mouth, you shall find a piece of money: take that, and give it to them for me and you.
• Matt 22:17 : 17 Tell us therefore, what do you think? Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?
• Mark 14:45 : 45 And as soon as he came, he went straight to him and said, Master, master; and kissed him.
• Luke 20:22 : 22 Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?
• Luke 23:2 : 2 And they began to accuse Him, saying, We found this man misleading the nation and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, claiming that He is Christ, a King.
• John 7:18 : 18 He who speaks on his own seeks his own glory, but he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
• Rom 13:6 : 6 For this reason, pay your taxes also, for they are God's ministers attending continually to this very thing.
• 2 Cor 2:2 : 2 For if I cause you sorrow, who then makes me glad, except the one whom I made sorrowful?
• 2 Cor 2:17 : 17 For we are not like many who corrupt the word of God; but as of sincerity, as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.
• 2 Cor 4:1 : 1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart;
• 2 Cor 5:11 : 11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I hope are well known also in your consciences.
• 2 Cor 5:16 : 16 Therefore from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know him thus no longer.
• Gal 1:10 : 10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
• Gal 2:6 : 6 But from those who seemed to be something (whatever they were, it makes no difference to me: God accepts no man's person), for those who seemed to be something added nothing to me:
• Gal 2:11-14 : 11 But when Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was to be blamed. 12 For before certain men came from James, he ate with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. 13 And the other Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel the Gentiles to live as the Jews?
• 1 Thess 2:4 : 4 But as we were allowed by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, who tests our hearts.