New International Version
Mark 12:15
15Should 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.”
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.
- 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.”
- New Living Translation (NLT)Should we pay them, or shouldn’t we?” Jesus saw through their hypocrisy and said, “Why are you trying to trap me? Show me a Roman coin, and I’ll tell you.”
Context of Mark 12:15
13Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words. 14They came to him and said, “Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not? 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.” 16They brought the coin, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. 17Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” And they were amazed at him.
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 22:18But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me?
- Luke 20:23He saw through their duplicity and said to them,
- John 2:24But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people.
- John 21:17The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.
- Hebrews 4:13Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
- Revelation 2:23I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.
- Mark 10:2Some Pharisees came and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?”
- Ezekiel 17:2“Son of man, set forth an allegory and tell it to the Israelites as a parable.
- Acts 5:9Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”
- 1 Corinthians 10:9We should not test Christ, as some of them did—and 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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