12 1 He went on to speak to them in parables: 'A man planted a vineyard and put a wall round it, hewed out a winepress, and built a watch-tower; then he let it out to vine-growers and went abroad. 12 2 When the vintage season came, he sent a servant to the tenants to collect from them his share of the produce. 12 3 But they took him, thrashed him, and sent him away empty-handed. 12 4 Again, he sent them another servant, whom they beat about the head and treated outrageously. 12 5 So he sent another, and that one they killed; and many more besides, of whom they beat some, and killed others. 12 6 He had now only one left to send, his own dear son. Or: his only son. In the end he sent him. "They will respect my son", he said. 12 7 But the tenants said to one another, "This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the property will be ours." 12 8 So they seized him and killed him, and flung his body out of the vineyard. 12 9 What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and put the tenants to death and give the vineyard to others. 12 10 [ Ps.118.22-23. ] 'Can it be that you have never read this text: "The stone which the builders rejected has become the main corner-stone. 12 11 This is the Lord's doing, and it is wonderful in our eyes"?'
12 12 Then they began to look for a way to arrest him, for they saw that the parable was aimed at them; but they were afraid of the people, so they left him alone and went away. - Paying Taxes to Caesar Mk.12.13-17 (Jerusalem)- Mt.22.15-22, Lk.20.20-26 | NEB Contents | notes
12 13 A NUMBER OF PHARISEES and men of Herod's party were sent to trap him with a question. 12 14 They came and said, 'Master, you are an honest man, we know, and truckle to no man, whoever he may be; you teach in all honesty the way of life that God requires. Are we or are we not permitted to pay taxes to the Roman Emperor? 12 15 Shall we pay or not?' He saw how crafty their question was, and said, 'Why are you trying to catch me out? 12 16 Fetch me a silver piece, and let me look at it.' They brought one, and he said is to them, 'Whose head is this, and whose inscription?' 'Caesar's', they replied. 12 17 Then Jesus said, 'Pay Caesar what is due to Caesar, and pay God what is due to God.' And they heard him with astonishment.