New King James Version
Mark 12:15
15Shall 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.”
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 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
13Then they sent to Him some of the Pharisees and the Herodians, to catch Him in His words. 14When they had come, they said to Him, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and care about no one; for You do not regard the person of men, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? 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.” 16So they brought it. And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” 17And Jesus answered and said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they marveled 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 perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test Me, you hypocrites?
- Luke 20:23But He perceived their craftiness, and said to them, “Why do you test Me?
- John 2:24But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men,
- John 21:17He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.
- Hebrews 4:13And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
- Revelation 2:23I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.
- Mark 10:2The Pharisees came and asked Him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” testing Him.
- Ezekiel 17:2“Son of man, pose a riddle, and speak a parable to the house of Israel,
- Acts 5:9Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”
- 1 Corinthians 10:9nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents;
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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries