And to God

After writing yesterday’s post about Mark 12:13-17, I became curious whether all Bible translators choose to head this as a story about taxes or giving oneself to God. This is what I found:

New International VersionPaying Taxes to Caesar
New American Standard BibleJesus Answers the Pharisees, Sadducees and Scribes
The MessagePaying Taxes to Caesar
Amplified BibleNo heading
New Living TranslationTaxes for Caesar
King James VersionNo heading
English Standard VersionPaying Taxes to Caesar
Contemporary English VersionPaying Taxes
New King James Version The Pharisees: Is It Lawful to Pay Taxes to Caesar?
21st Century King James VersionNo heading
American Standard VersionNo heading
Young’s Literal TranslationNo heading
Darby TranslationNo heading
New Life VersionThey Try To Trap Jesus
Holman Christian Standard BibleGod and Caesar
New International Reader’s VersionIs It Right to Pay Taxes to Caesar?
Wycliffe New TestamentNo heading
Worldwide English (New Testament)No heading
New International Version – UKPaying Taxes to Caesar

Of the versions surveyed, only the Holman Christian Standard Bible mentioned both Caesar and God. Most of the headings mentions paying taxes; one mentions Jesus answering questions and another the attempt to trap Jesus.

Do the Bible translators miss the point of Jesus’ statement? I would hope not. Imagine trying to find this story by reading the headings if the heading said, “Give to God what is His.”

Also, people tend to remember the story, not the answer. That’s why Jesus told so many parables. We remember the stories. It may take some time for the meaning to sink in.

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