In Mark 12:13-17, why does Jesus call them hypocrites?

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JDGaney said:
Why, exactly? And can somebody elaborate on this passage?
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I don’t see where He called them hypocrites. here is the passage from the Douay-Rheims:

Mark 12: 13: And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and of the Herodians; that they should catch him in his words. [14] Who coming, say to him: Master, we know that thou art a true speaker, and carest not for any 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 shall we not give it? [15] Who knowing their wiliness, saith to them: Why tempt you me? bring me a penny that I may see it.
[16] And they brought it him. And he saith to them: Whose is this image and inscription? They say to him, Caesar’s. [17] And Jesus answering, said to them: Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marvelled at him.
 
What does He mean to say tempt me? What does He mean altogether?
 
They wanted to catch Jesus in a lie or in a way they could get Him in trouble with the Romans and be put to death for blasphemy.

Jesus being able to read their hearts knows they are after him and this is why he calls them hypocrites.

They also do not believe Jesus is the Messiah.

I think if you read more about the pharisees and the people and culture at the time of Jesus you might understand better.
 
JDGaney said:
What does He mean to say tempt me? What does He mean altogether?
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They were obliged by Roman law to pay taxes. To not pay taxes was a criminal offense. It was denying the sovereignty of Caesar as ruler. They were trying to get trick (tempt) Jesus to say they should not pay taxes to Caesar (invalidating Caesar’s Authority). That would have gotten Jesus arrested for treason and would have ended his ministry.

Jesus drew a dividing line between taxes and tribute and answered the question in a way that was both right and admonishing at the same time.
 
Chris_Etzel said:
They were obliged by Roman law to pay taxes. To not pay taxes was a criminal offense. It was denying the sovereignty of Caesar as ruler. They were trying to get trick (tempt) Jesus to say they should not pay taxes to Caesar (invalidating Caesar’s Authority). That would have gotten Jesus arrested for treason and would have ended his ministry.

Jesus drew a dividing line between taxes and tribute and answered the question in a way that was both right and admonishing at the same time.
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You’ve got half of it, but there’s more…

If that was all there was to it, then Jesus’ answer was the easy one. The full scope of the trap was that, in paying tax, one was implicitly assenting to Caesar’s claim of being a God. So, the full trap is: “Should we pay taxes to Caesar (and commit the sin of blasphemy) or not (and commit the crime of treason)?”

Jesus’ answer astonishes them because it avoids both horns of the bull: “give God what God deserves (worship) and give Caesar what Caesar deserves (taxes).”
 
Another aspect of their hypocrisy: having Pharisees and Herodians working together. It would be like, I imagine, a Evangelical (Republican) group with a bunch of Obama supporters come up to you together to ask a question. Why are they working with the enemy?

And, of course, he shows them that they are hypocrites: would a true believer have a coin with a graven image? But they are willing to fudge that commandment for the sake of holding on to wealth–which makes them a hypocrite if they are trying to cast him as a sinner whichever way he answers.
 
bmonk said:
Another aspect of their hypocrisy: having Pharisees and Herodians working together. It would be like, I imagine, a Evangelical (Republican) group with a bunch of Obama supporters come up to you together to ask a question. Why are they working with the enemy?

And, of course, he shows them that they are hypocrites: would a true believer have a coin with a graven image? But they are willing to fudge that commandment for the sake of holding on to wealth–which makes them a hypocrite if they are trying to cast him as a sinner whichever way he answers.
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This.

is the explanation I hear the most.
 
Tantum_ergo said:
I don’t see where He called them hypocrites.
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NAB:
  • They sent some Phariseesd and Herodians to him to ensnare hime in his speech.*
    14
    They came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you are not concerned with anyone’s opinion. You do not regard a person’s status but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not? Should we pay or should we not pay?”
    15
    Knowing their hypocrisy he said to them, “Why are you testing me? Bring me a denarius to look at.”
    16
    They brought one to him and he said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They replied to him, “Caesar’s.”
    17
    So Jesus said to them, “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” They were utterly amazed at him.
 
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