Mark 12:12-14

Expanded Bible

¹² The Jewish leaders knew that the ·story [parable] was about them. So they ·wanted to find a way [were seeking/trying] to arrest Jesus, but they were afraid of the people. So the leaders left him and went away.

Is It Right to Pay Taxes or Not?^(A)

¹³ Later, the Jewish leaders sent some Pharisees and Herodians [^Ca political group that supported king Herod and his family; 3:6] to Jesus to ·trap [catch] him in saying something wrong. ¹⁴ They came to him and said, “Teacher, we know that you are ·an honest man [true; honest; sincere]. You are not ·afraid of [concerned about] what other people think about you, because you ·pay no attention to who they are [play no favorites; are impartial; aren’t swayed by appearances]. And you teach ·the truth [with sincerity/honesty] about God’s way. Tell us: Is it ·right [permissible; lawful] to pay taxes to Caesar or not?