Mark 12:15

15 Shall 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].

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 sent to him certain of the Pharisees, and of the Herodians, to catch him in [his] words.

14 And when they had come, they say to 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?

15 Shall 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].

16 And they brought [it]: and he saith to them, Whose [is] this image and superscription? And they said to him, Cesar's.

17 And Jesus answering, said to them, Render to Cesar the things that are Cesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they wondered at him.