New Living Translation
Mark 12:15
15Should 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.”
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
13Later the leaders sent some Pharisees and supporters of Herod to trap Jesus into saying something for which he could be arrested. 14“Teacher,” they said, “we know how honest you are. You are impartial and don’t play favorites. You teach the way of God truthfully. Now tell us—is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? 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.” 16When they handed it to him, he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. 17“Well, then,” Jesus said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.” His reply completely amazed them.
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 knew their evil motives. “You hypocrites!” he said. “Why are you trying to trap me?
- Luke 20:23He saw through their trickery and said,
- John 2:24But Jesus didn’t trust them, because he knew all about people.
- John 21:17A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.
- Hebrews 4:13Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.
- Revelation 2:23I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am the one who searches out the thoughts and intentions of every person. And I will give to each of you whatever you deserve.
- Mark 10:2Some Pharisees came and tried to trap him with this question: “Should a man be allowed to divorce his wife?”
- Ezekiel 17:2“Son of man, give this riddle, and tell this story to the people of Israel.
- Acts 5:9And Peter said, “How could the two of you even think of conspiring to test the Spirit of the Lord like this? The young men who buried your husband are just outside the door, and they will carry you out, too.”
- 1 Corinthians 10:9Nor should we put Christ to the test, as some of them did and then died from snakebites.
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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