Bible Strands
Mark 12:13
Later, they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to catch Jesus in His words.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The religious leaders, having failed to arrest Jesus after His parable, dispatch a group of Pharisees and Herodians to approach Him with a trap question. This occurs immediately after the leaders flee in fear of the crowd and right before they directly ask about paying taxes to Caesar.
The words — The Greek verb ἀποστέλλουσιν (apostellousin) literally means "they send," marking the deliberate dispatch of the group. The genitive Φαρισαίων (Pharisaiōn) identifies these agents as "Pharisees," a distinct Jewish sect.
The thread — The same coalition of Pharisees and Herodians appears in Mark 3:6, where they plot to kill Jesus. Luke 11:54 and Luke 20:20 parallel this tactic of agents hoping to catch Him in His words.
Why it lands — The text records a calculated attempt to trap Jesus through a carefully staged question. It demands that a reader recognize the hostility behind the flattery and the political-religious tension surrounding Jesus' authority.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words.
Cross-references
- Mark 3:6 At this, the Pharisees went out and began plotting with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.
- Luke 11:54 waiting to catch Him in something He might say.
- Luke 20:20 So they watched Him closely and sent spies who pretended to be sincere. They were hoping to catch Him in His words in order to hand Him over to the rule and authority of the governor.
- Mark 8:15 “Watch out!” He cautioned them. “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod.”
- Psalms 38:12 Those who seek my life lay snares; those who wish me harm speak destruction, plotting deceit all day long.
- Psalms 56:5 All day long they twist my words; all their thoughts are on my demise.
- Psalms 140:5 The proud hide a snare for me; the cords of their net are spread along the path, and lures are set out for me. Selah
- Isaiah 29:21 those who indict a man with a word, who ensnare the mediator at the gate, and who with false charges deprive the innocent of justice.
- Jeremiah 18:18 Then some said, “Come, let us make plans against Jeremiah, for the law will never be lost to the priest, nor counsel to the wise, nor an oracle to the prophet. Come, let us denounce him and pay no heed to any of his words.”
- Matthew 16:6 “Watch out!” Jesus told them. “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”