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MARK 12:13 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
Mark 12:12Mark 12:14
“And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words.”
Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words — the Pharisees and Herodians alliance (first mentioned in Mark 3:6 as the conspirators planning to kill Jesus) reappears as the political trap-setters. To catch him in his words: the Greek (agreuō) is the word for trapping wild animals. The tribute question is a snare designed to destroy Jesus politically regardless of how he answers.

Church Fathers on Mark 12:13

The Chief Priests though they sought to take Him, feared the multitude, and therefore they endeavored to effect what they could not do of themselves, by means of earthly powers, that they might themselves appear to be guiltless of His death.

Bede · 8th century

We have said elsewhere of the Herodians, that they were a certain new heresy, who said that Herod was the Christ, because the succession of the kingdom of Judah had failed. Others however say that the Herodians were the soldiers of Herod, whom the Pharisees brought as witnesses of the words of Christ, that they might take Him, and lead Him away. But observe how in their wickedness they wished to deceive Christ by flattery; for it goes on: 'Master, we know that thou art true.'

Theophylact · 11th century

For they questioned Him with honied words, and they surrounded Him as bees, who carry honey in their mouth, but a sting in their tail.

Pseudo-Jerome · 5th century
Read all 10 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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