God’s Word Translation
Mark 12:15
15Jesus recognized their hypocrisy, so he asked them, “Why do you test me? Bring me a coin so that I can look at it.”
Mark 12:15 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it.
- New International Version (NIV)Should we pay or shouldn’t we?” But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. “Why are you trying to trap me?” he asked. “Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.”
- English Standard Version (ESV)But, knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, "Why put me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me look at it."
- New King James Version (NKJV)Shall we pay, or shall we not pay?” But He, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, “Why do you test Me? Bring Me a denarius that I may see it.”
Context of Mark 12:15
13The leaders sent some of the Pharisees and some of Herod’s followers to Jesus. They wanted to trap him into saying the wrong thing. 14When they came to him, they said, “Teacher, we know that you tell the truth. You don’t favor individuals because of who they are. Rather, you teach the way of God truthfully. Is it right to pay taxes to the emperor or not? Should we pay taxes or not?” Jesus recognized their hypocrisy, so he asked them, “Why do you test me? Bring me a coin so that I can look at it.” 16They brought a coin. He said to them, “Whose face and name is this?” They told him, “The emperor’s.” 17Jesus said to them, “Give the emperor what belongs to the emperor, and give God what belongs to God.” They were surprised at his reply.
Read all of Mark 12Mark 12:15 word by word
δῶμεν ἢ μὴ δῶμεν;¶ Ὁ δὲ εἰδὼς αὐτῶν τὴν ὑπόκρισιν εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· τί με πειράζετε; φέρετέ μοι δηνάριον ἵνα ἴδω.Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Shall we giveδίδωμιdidōmi · to giveG1325
- orἤē · orG2228
- notμήmē · notG3361
- Butδέde · thenG1161
- heὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- knowingεἴδωeidō · to perceive: seeG1492
- theirαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
- hypocrisyὑπόκρισιςhupokrisis · hypocrisyG5272
- saidλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
- Whyτίςtis · which?G5101
- tempt yeπειράζωpeirazō · to test/tempt: testG3985
- meἐγώegō · I/weG1473
- bringφέρωpherō̄ · to bear/leadG5342
- a pennyδηνάριονdēnarion · denariusG1220
- thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
- I may seeὁράωhoraō · to see: seeG3708
Cross-references for Mark 12:15
- Matthew 22:18Jesus recognized their evil plan, so he asked, “Why do you test me, you hypocrites?
- Luke 20:23He saw through their scheme, so he said to them,
- John 2:24Jesus, however, was wary of these believers. He understood people
- John 21:17Jesus asked him a third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt sad because Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you love me?” So Peter said to him, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus told him, “Feed my sheep.
- Hebrews 4:13No creature can hide from God. Everything is uncovered and exposed for him to see. We must answer to him.
- Revelation 2:23I will kill her children. Then all the churches will know that I am the one who searches hearts and minds. I will reward each of you for what you have done.
- Mark 10:2Some Pharisees came to test him. They asked, “Can a husband divorce his wife?”
- Ezekiel 17:2“Son of man, tell this riddle. Give this illustration to the nation of Israel.
- Acts 5:9Then Peter said to her, “How could you and your husband agree to test the Lord’s Spirit? Those who buried your husband are standing at the door, and they will carry you outside for burial.”
- 1 Corinthians 10:9We shouldn’t put the Lord to the test as some of them did. They were killed by snakes.
Commentaries on Mark 12:15
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 15Shall we give, or shall we not give? - This is wanting in the Codex Bezae, and in several versions.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 13-17Verses 13-17 See the notes at Matthew 22:15-22.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 13-17Verses 13-17 The enemies of Christ would be thought desirous to know their duty, when really they hoped that which soever side he took of the question, they might find occasion to accuse him. Nothing is more likely to insnare the followers of Christ, than bringing them to meddle with disputes about worldly politics. Jesus avoided the snare, by referring to the submission they had already made as a nation; and all that heard him, marvelled at the great…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 15Jesus gave a surprising response that showed his wisdom. a denarius: The tax likely had to be paid using Roman coins.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1515. Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy--"their wickedness" (Mt 22:18); "their craftiness" (Lu 20:23). The malignity of their hearts took the form of craft, pretending what they did not feel--an anxious desire to be guided aright in a matter which to a scrupulous few might seem a question of some difficulty. Seeing perfectly through this, He said unto them, Why tempt ye me?--"hypocrites!" bring me a penny that I may see…Read the comment
Topics related to Mark 12:15
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Mark 12
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Catena Aurea
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- John Lightfoot Commentary
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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