Mark 12:15

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].

KJV (with Strong's)

Shall we give {G1325}, or {G2228} shall we not {G3361} give {G1325}? But {G1161} he, knowing {G1492} their {G846} hypocrisy {G5272}, said {G2036} unto them {G846}, Why {G5101} tempt ye {G3985} me {G3165}? bring {G5342} me {G3427} a penny {G1220}, that {G2443} I may see {G1492} it.

Complete Jewish Bible

But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, "Why are you trying to trap me? Bring me a denarius so I can look at it."

Berean Standard Bible

But Jesus saw through their hypocrisy and said, “Why are you testing Me? Bring Me a denarius to inspect.”

American Standard Version

Shall 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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 12:15 captures a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry, revealing His divine omniscience and unwavering wisdom in the face of a meticulously crafted trap. As His religious and political adversaries, the Pharisees and Herodians, posed a seemingly innocuous question about paying taxes to Caesar, Jesus immediately discerned their malicious intent and profound hypocrisy, responding with a strategic request for a Roman coin that would set the stage for His renowned and unassailable teaching on rendering to Caesar and to God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within a series of confrontations between Jesus and various Jewish authorities in Jerusalem, immediately preceding His crucifixion. Following the [Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers](/mark/12-1-12 "Mark 12:1-12 - The Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers"), which clearly indicted the religious leaders, these leaders sought to discredit or arrest Jesus. Mark 12:13 explicitly states that the Pharisees and Herodians were sent "to catch him in his words." Their question in [Mark 12:14](/mark/12-14 "Mark 12:14 - The Question of Tribute")—"Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?"—was designed as a perfect dilemma: a "yes" would alienate the Jewish populace who resented Roman occupation, while a "no" would provide grounds for accusing Him of sedition against Rome. Jesus' response in [Mark 12:17](/mark/12-17 "Mark 12:17 - Jesus' Answer on Tribute") is one of the most famous and profound statements in the Gospels, and Mark 12:15 serves as the crucial setup, demonstrating Jesus' awareness of their scheme before delivering His masterful reply.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Judea was under Roman occupation, and the imposition of a poll tax (tribute) payable to Caesar was a constant source of resentment among the Jewish people. This tax, a denarius, bore the image of the emperor (Tiberius at this time) and often an inscription proclaiming his divinity, which was considered idolatrous by many Jews. The Pharisees, known for their strict adherence to the Mosaic Law and their opposition to Roman rule, would naturally lean towards opposing the tax. The Herodians, on the other hand, were a political party loyal to Herod Antipas and, by extension, to Rome. Their unlikely alliance against Jesus underscores the gravity of their shared desire to eliminate Him. The very act of possessing and using the denarius, as Jesus demonstrates, implied a tacit acceptance of Roman authority, a fact Jesus masterfully exploits in His response.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 12:15 profoundly contributes to several key themes within the Gospel of Mark and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Discernment and Omniscience**, showcasing Jesus' supernatural ability to perceive the true intentions of His questioners. His "knowing their hypocrisy" transcends mere human insight, affirming His divine nature and understanding of the human heart, a theme echoed in [John 2:24-25](/john/2-24-25 "John 2:24-25 - Jesus Knows All People"). Secondly, it underscores the theme of **Testing and Temptation**, as Jesus directly confronts their deceptive motive with the question, "Why tempt ye me?" This reveals the adversarial nature of their encounter, where the religious leaders are not seeking truth but attempting to ensnare Him. Thirdly, the verse exemplifies **Wisdom and Strategic Brilliance**, as Jesus' request for the coin is not a mere delay tactic but a crucial step in His unanswerable response, turning the tables on His accusers and exposing their flawed premise, much like His wisdom is described in [1 Corinthians 1:25](/1_corinthians/1-25 "1 Corinthians 1:25 - The Wisdom of God").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **hypocrisy (Greek, _hypókrisis'_):** (G5272) From a root meaning "acting under a feigned part," this term literally refers to a stage actor playing a role. In this context, it powerfully conveys that the Pharisees and Herodians were not genuinely seeking an answer or truth but were performing a charade, hiding their true, malicious intentions behind a facade of religious inquiry. Jesus saw through their pretense, recognizing their feigned sincerity as a manipulative tactic.
* **tempt (Greek, _peirázō'_):** (G3985) This verb means "to test (objectively), i.e., endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline." Here, it carries the connotation of testing with malicious intent, to ensnare or find fault. Jesus' direct question, "Why tempt ye me?" exposes their deliberate attempt to trap Him, not for constructive purposes, but with the aim of discrediting or condemning Him.
* **see (Greek, _eídō'_):** (G1492) While primarily meaning "to see" literally or figuratively, in its perfect tense (as implied here by the context of "that I may see it"), it also carries the meaning "to know" or "to understand." Jesus' request for the penny is not because He hasn't seen one before, but to bring the physical object into the discussion, making its imperial imagery and implications undeniable for all to "see" and understand, thus laying the groundwork for His profound teaching.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Shall we give, or shall we not give?":** This rhetorical question, posed by the adversaries, perfectly frames their trap. It presents a false dilemma, forcing a choice between two outcomes, both of which they believed would incriminate Jesus. The repetition of "give" emphasizes the binary nature of their challenge, designed to leave no room for nuance.
* **"But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them,":** This clause is crucial, highlighting Jesus' divine insight. The conjunction "But" (G1161, _dé_) introduces a contrast to their deceptive question. Jesus' immediate knowledge of their "hypocrisy" (G5272, _hypókrisis_) reveals His supernatural discernment, seeing beyond their words to the malicious intent of their hearts. This demonstrates His authority and wisdom over their cunning.
* **"Why tempt ye me?":** Jesus directly confronts their deceptive motive. By asking "Why tempt ye me?" (G3985, _peirázō_), He exposes their true agenda—not seeking truth, but attempting to ensnare Him. This question serves as a powerful rebuke, laying bare their manipulative tactics before the crowd.
* **"bring me a penny, that I may see [it].":** This command is a strategic move. The "penny" (G1220, _dēnárion_) refers to a Roman denarius, the coin used for the tribute tax. Jesus' request to "see" (G1492, _eídō_) the coin is not out of ignorance but to physically introduce the object that bears Caesar's image and inscription, making the visual evidence undeniable for His subsequent teaching. It shifts the focus from a theoretical debate to a tangible reality, preparing the ground for His profound answer.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as the religious leaders, who claim to uphold God's law, are themselves engaged in a deceptive act of "hypocrisy" (G5272, _hypókrisis_) and "temptation" (G3985, _peirázō_) against the very Son of God. Their attempt to trap Jesus ultimately exposes their own moral bankruptcy. There is also a strong element of **Juxtaposition**, contrasting the cunning and deceit of the religious authorities with the divine wisdom and discernment of Jesus. His immediate perception of their "hypocrisy" stands in stark opposition to their feigned sincerity. Finally, Jesus' question, "Why tempt ye me?", functions as a **Rhetorical Question**, not seeking an answer from them, but serving as a direct accusation and a powerful means to expose their hidden motives to the onlookers. This strategic use of language sets the stage for the profound and memorable teaching that follows.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 12:15 underscores the profound theological truth of Jesus' divine omniscience and His absolute authority over all human schemes. He is not merely a wise teacher but the Son of God who possesses perfect knowledge of the human heart, seeing beyond outward appearances to the deepest intentions. This encounter highlights the futility of attempting to deceive God or His Christ, as all things are laid bare before Him. It also serves as a powerful reminder that true faith requires sincerity and genuine inquiry, not manipulative traps. The wisdom displayed by Jesus in this moment foreshadows His ultimate triumph over all forms of opposition, whether spiritual or earthly.

* [Matthew 22:18](/matthew/22-18 "Matthew 22:18 - Jesus Knows Their Wickedness")
* [Luke 20:23](/luke/20-23 "Luke 20:23 - Jesus Perceives Their Craftiness")
* [Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-13 "Hebrews 4:13 - All Things Open Before God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 12:15 offers profound insights for contemporary believers. Firstly, it calls us to self-examination regarding the sincerity of our own hearts. Just as Jesus saw through the hypocrisy of His adversaries, He sees through any pretense or hidden motives in our own lives and worship. This prompts us to approach God with genuine humility and integrity, seeking truth rather than attempting to manipulate circumstances or others for our own gain. Secondly, the passage reassures us of Jesus' perfect wisdom and discernment. In a world filled with deception, false narratives, and complex ethical dilemmas, we can trust that our Lord possesses complete knowledge and insight to navigate any challenge. His example encourages us to seek His wisdom in prayer and through His Word, rather than relying on worldly cunning. Finally, it reminds us that our faith journey is not about playing a part, but about living authentically before an all-knowing God, striving for consistency between our outward actions and our inward intentions.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be operating with "hypocrisy" or hidden motives, rather than genuine sincerity before God and others?**
* **How does Jesus' ability to "know their hypocrisy" encourage or challenge me in my walk of faith?**
* **When faced with difficult questions or dilemmas, how can I seek and apply Jesus' wisdom rather than resorting to human cunning or manipulation?**

### FAQ

**What was the "penny" Jesus asked for?**

Answer: The "penny" Jesus asked for was a Roman denarius (G1220, _dēnárion_), a common silver coin of the time. It was the standard currency for paying the annual poll tax to the Roman Empire. These coins typically bore the image of the reigning emperor (in this case, Tiberius Caesar) and an inscription that often included a claim to his divinity, which was highly offensive to many Jews. Jesus' request for this specific coin was a strategic move to bring the visual evidence of Roman authority directly into the discussion, setting the stage for His profound teaching on rendering to Caesar and to God.

**Why was the question "Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?" a trap?**

Answer: The question was a perfectly crafted trap designed by the Pharisees and Herodians to ensnare Jesus, offering Him no easy escape. If Jesus had said "yes," He would have alienated the Jewish populace, who deeply resented Roman occupation and taxation, potentially losing popular support and being seen as a collaborator. If He had said "no," He could have been accused of sedition against the Roman Empire, providing the authorities with a clear legal basis for His arrest and execution. The question was not a genuine inquiry but a malicious attempt to discredit or condemn Him, as Jesus immediately perceived their "hypocrisy" (G5272, _hypókrisis_) and intent to "tempt" (G3985, _peirázō_) Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 12:15, with Jesus' piercing discernment of hypocrisy and His strategic response, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ as the embodiment of divine wisdom and the sovereign Lord over all earthly powers and human deceit. Jesus, as the true Prophet, sees not just the outward actions but the deepest intentions of the heart, fulfilling the prophetic word that the Lord searches all hearts and understands every intent of the thoughts ([1 Chronicles 28:9](/1_chronicles/28-9 "1 Chronicles 28:9 - God Searches All Hearts")). His ability to "know their hypocrisy" is a manifestation of His divine omniscience, a characteristic of God alone, demonstrating that in Christ "are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - All Wisdom in Christ")). He is the ultimate judge, whose eyes are like a flame of fire, discerning all things ([Revelation 19:11-12](/revelation/19-11-12 "Revelation 19:11-12 - The Rider on the White Horse")). Furthermore, His masterful navigation of this trap foreshadows His ultimate triumph over all the schemes of Satan and the powers of darkness. He is the King whose kingdom is not of this world, yet He holds authority over it ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom is Not of This World")), rendering to God what is God's by perfectly obeying the Father's will even unto death, and ultimately rendering to Himself all authority in heaven and on earth ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Jesus")). Thus, this encounter not only reveals Jesus' divine nature but also points to His role as the wise and victorious King who cannot be outwitted or overthrown.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.

Luke 20:23

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

John 2:24

But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all [men],

John 2:25

And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.

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.

1 Corinthians 10:9

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

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.