Mark 12:15

15 And he, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, `Why me do ye tempt? bring me a denary, that I may see;'

Mark 12:15 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 12:15

Shall we give, or not give?
&c.] They not only ask whether it was lawful, but whether also it was advisable to do it, that they might not only accuse him of his principles, but charge him with persuading, or dissuading in this case. These words are left out in the Vulgate Latin, Arabic, Persic, and Ethiopic versions:

but he knowing their hypocrisy;
expressed in their flattering titles and characters of him, and which lay hid in their secret designs against him; which being thoroughly known to him,

said unto them, why tempt ye me: bring me a penny, that I may see
it;
what it is, that is required for tribute; (See Gill on Matthew 22:18), (See Gill on Matthew 22:19).

Mark 12:15 In-Context

13 and they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, that they may ensnare him in discourse,

14 and they having come, say to him, `Teacher, we have known that thou art true, and thou art not caring for any one, for thou dost not look to the face of men, but in truth the way of God dost teach; is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar or not? may we give, or may we not give?'

15 And he, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, `Why me do ye tempt? bring me a denary, that I may see;'

16 and they brought, and he saith to them, `Whose [is] this image, and the inscription?' and they said to him, `Caesar's;'

17 and Jesus answering said to them, `Give back the things of Caesar to Caesar, and the things of God to God;' and they did wonder at him.