Mark 12

Parable of the wicked vinedressers, render to Caesar, the greatest commandment, the widow's mites.

Jesus tells the parable of the wicked vinedressers — a vineyard owner sends servants and finally his beloved son, all rejected and killed — applying it directly to the religious leaders who plan His death. The Pharisees and Herodians try to trap Him on paying taxes to Caesar; He responds, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." The Sadducees challenge Him about the resurrection; He answers that they do not know the Scriptures nor the power of God. A scribe asks which is the first commandment; Jesus answers with the Shema ("You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, with all your strength") and "love your neighbor as yourself." The chapter closes with the poor widow who puts in two mites — more than all the rich gave, Jesus says, because she gave all she had.