Los Herodianos y el fiscus Iudaicus en Mc 12,13-17

Abstract

The identity of the Herodians in Mark 12:13 relating to the collection of taxes to Caesar has been a puzzle to scholars. its editorial/redactional nature invites us to analize the pericope in the living context of the evangelist, which is located in rome after the destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem. With the imposition of the fiscus Iudaicus, the leaders of the Roman synagogue of the “Herodians” probably played a role in making the census of the contributors to the fiscus Iudaicus, demanding that tax to some roman Jewish Christians. This group was struggling with the dilemma of “should we pay or not?” (Mk 12:14). To this question, the evangelist answers with a dispute between Jesus and the Pharisees about the legality of paying the poll tax.