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Mk 12:14f ... "Is it allowed to give a poll-tax to Caesar or not?"

The 7th phrase has these 6 dialog words, ... eksestin dounai kēnson Kaisari ē ou ("Is it allowed to give a head-tribute to Caesar or not")?

The 6 dialog words are bottom up. The question "eksestin" (Is it allowed?) refers to the Jewish law. The Roman law requires everyone to pay a head tax to Caesar. The Greek word "kensos" is borrowed from the Latin word "census" which was a head tax paid by each adult to the government. Rome required the annual poll tax be paid with a silver denarius, a coin worth about one day's wage. The two Herodians bait the snare with the question "Is it allowed?" a question regarding not the civil, but the religeous law. This question seemingly requires a YES or NO answer. If Jesus agrees he will appear to be a collaborator with the Romans and Herodians. If he disagrees, he will appear to be an insurrectionist. For Jesus, this is a lose-lose question.

12:14e < Verses > 12:14g