Mark 12:12-16: a reflection

12They tried to seize him, but they feared the multitude; for they perceived that he spoke the parable against them. They left him and went away. 13They sent some of the Pharisees and the Herodians to him, that they might trap him with words. 14When they had come, they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you are honest, and don’t defer to anyone; for you aren’t partial to anyone, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? 15Shall we give, or shall we not give?” But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, “Why do you test me? Bring me a denarius, that I may see it.” 16They brought it. He said to them, “Whose is this image and inscription?” They said to him, “Caesar’s.”

Those who wanted to trap Jesus send men to catch him in his words, and they open with flattery: Teacher, we know that you are honest, and defer to no one; you truly teach the way of God. The praise is smooth and sincere-sounding, but it masks a trap; they hope to flatter him into a careless answer. Jesus, however, is not taken in. Knowing their hypocrisy, he sees straight through the flattery to the trap beneath it, and is not swayed by their smooth words.

Notice that Jesus was not deceived by the flattery. The words of praise were designed to disarm him, to soften him into an unguarded answer; but Jesus saw through them to the hypocrisy and the trap beneath. He was not moved by flattering words, however smooth; he discerned the real intent behind them. The flattery, meant to manipulate him, had no hold on him, because he saw it for what it was.

That is worth learning, both to see through flattery aimed at us, and to be free of it ourselves. Flattery is often a tool of manipulation, smooth praise designed to disarm us, to soften us into what the flatterer wants; and we can be taken in by it, moved by praise into carelessness. But Jesus saw through it. Do not be deceived by flattery, the smooth praise that masks a hidden intent; discern, as Jesus did, the reality behind flattering words, and do not let them manipulate you. And be free of flattery yourself; do not use smooth, insincere praise to manipulate others, but be honest and genuine in what you say. Jesus saw through the flattery to the trap; be discerning about the flattery aimed at you, and genuine rather than flattering in your own speech, so that neither are you deceived by it, nor do you deceive others with it.

Lord Jesus, those who wanted to trap you opened with flattery, praising your honesty to disarm you into a careless answer; but knowing their hypocrisy, you saw straight through the flattery to the trap beneath, and were not swayed. Teach me both to see through flattery aimed at me, and to be free of it myself. Flattery is often a tool of manipulation, smooth praise designed to disarm me, to soften me into what the flatterer wants; and I can be taken in by it, moved by praise into carelessness. But you saw through it. Keep me from being deceived by flattery, the smooth praise that masks a hidden intent; help me discern, as you did, the reality behind flattering words, and not let them manipulate me. And help me be free of flattery myself; keep me from using smooth, insincere praise to manipulate others, and help me be honest and genuine in what I say. You saw through the flattery to the trap; make me discerning about the flattery aimed at me, and genuine rather than flattering in my own speech, Lord, so that I am neither deceived by it nor deceive others with it.