Mark 12:15

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

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 Later, they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to catch Jesus in His words.

14 “Teacher,” they said, “we know that You are honest and seek favor from no one. Indeed, You are impartial and teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay them or not?”

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

16 So they brought it, and He asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they answered.

17 Then Jesus told them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” And they marveled at Him.

Footnotes

• [a]. A denarius was customarily a day’s wage for a laborer; see Matthew 20:2.