Mark 12 · Verse 15

Mark 12:15

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.
Mark 12:15, King James Version

Mark 12:15 in other translations

BSBBut Jesus saw through their hypocrisy and said, “Why are you testing Me? Bring Me a denarius to inspect.”
WEBShall we give, or shall we not give?” But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, “Why do you test me? Bring me a denarius, that I may see it.”
ASVShall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why make ye trial of me? bring me a denarius, that I may see it.
YLTAnd he, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, ‘Why me do ye tempt? bring me a denary, that I may see;'
DARBYShould we give, or should we not give? But he knowing their hypocrisy said unto them, Why tempt ye me? Bring me a denarius that I may see it.
BBEAre we to give or not to give? But he, conscious of their false hearts, said to them, Why do you put me to the test? give me a penny, so that I may see it.
WebsterShall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it.

What does Mark 12:15 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
15. 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 it--"the tribute money" (Mt 22:19).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 15.

(1) "penny" or "Valuing of our money, seven pence halfpenny, as Mt 22:19

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 15 Shall we give, or shall we not give? - This is wanting in the Codex Bezae, and in several versions.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Mark 12:13-17

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…

Read the full comment on Mark 12:13-17 →

Mark 12:15 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

δῶμενdōmenshall we payG1325
ἢēorG2228
μὴmēnotG3361
δῶμεν;¶dōmenshall we pay?G1325
ὉHo(15) <the>G3588
δὲdeAndG1161
εἰδὼςeidōsknowing
αὐτῶνautōnof themG846
τὴνtēntheG3588
ὑπόκρισινhupokrisinhypocrisyG5272
εἶπενeipenHe saidG2036
αὐτοῖς·autoisto them;G846
τίtiWhyG5101
μεmeMeG3165
πειράζετε;peirazetedo you test?G3985
φέρετέpheretedo bringG5342
μοιmoiMeG3165
δηνάριονdēnariona denariusG1220
ἵναinathatG2443
ἴδω.idōI may see [it].G1492

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Mark 12:15

  • Revelation 2:23

    And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

  • Ezekiel 17:2

    Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable unto the house of Israel;

  • Matthew 22:18

    But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?

  • Acts 5:9

    Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.

  • Hebrews 4:13

    Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

  • Luke 20:23

    But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me?

  • John 2:24-25

    But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:9

    Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.

  • Mark 10:2

    And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him.

  • John 21:17

    He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
knowing.
Mt 22:18; Lu 20:23; Joh 2:24,25; 21:17; Heb 4:13; Re 2:23
Why.
10:2; Eze 17:2; Ac 5:9; 1Co 10:9
a penny."Valuing of our money, sevenpence halfpenny, as Mt 18:28, marg."

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Mark 12:14

    And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Cesar, or not?

  • Mark 12:15

    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.

  • Mark 12:16

    And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Cesar’s.

Read all of Mark 12

Mark 12:15 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Entonces él, como entendía la hipocresía de ellos, les dijo: ¿Por qué me tentáis? Traedme la moneda para que la vea.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et lui, connaissant leur hypocrisie, leur dit: Pourquoi me tentez-vous? Apportez-moi un denier, que je le voie.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Da er aber ihre Heuchelei kannte, sprach er zu ihnen: Was versuchet ihr mich? Bringet mir einen Denar, auf daß ich ihn sehe.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Qui sciens versutiam illorum, ait illis: Quid me tentatis? afferte mihi denarium ut videam.