# Mark Chapter 12
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## Summary
Jesus delivers the parable of the vineyard owner, before challenging the Pharasies and Herodians to render unto Ceaser what is his, and to God what is His. The Sadducees seek an answer to a question on marriage and death which Jesus responds to challing their lack of knowledge of the scriptures. One of the scribes enquires of the greatest commandment and Jesus provides the two greatest commandments. The scribe is commended for praising Jesus' knoweldge and right speak and is commended himself for being close to the Kingdom. Jesus teaches in the temples and warns against the duplicity of the scribes, before commending a Widow on her gift from poverty.

## Imagery and Themes

The theme of justice pervades this chapter. In the first instance we hear the parable of the vineyard owner who's son is unjustly killed by wicked servants. The apparent commentary here being that of Israel as poor stewards of God's riches and the failure to recognise his authority and ultimate murder of his son. This contrasts with the question about paying taxes which again is fundamentally about justice, and also with regards to the question of "who's wife is she?". Ultimately Jesus avoids each of these pitfalls grasping instead what the true justice of the kingdom entails.

He speaks of the greatest commandment which again is about rendering to each due consideration. To God our first love and to our neighbour what we give ourselves. This again is a reorientation of being from a self centred approach to one that looks outward first towards God and then others. The justice that the kingdom brings therefore is not consistent with worldly personal justice. The kingdom is concerned with the needs of others first. From this position all other things fall into place Jesus tells us.

Finally the chapter concludes with a warning against the public and the private. A firm warning against the spirit of the scribes that merely performs and consumes rather than gifts, and the spirit of the widow that from her poverty a humility gifts all that she has. This profound contrasting of approaches demonstrates with crystal clarity the actions of those who demonstrate a commitment to the purposes of God.