Verse MeaningMarkSome background helps
Mark 12:15: Meaning Explained
Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, ‹Why tempt ye me? bring me a...
Mark 12:15
“Seeing through their hypocrisy, he said to them, "Why are you testing me? Bring me a denarius so I can look at it."”
What Does This Verse Mean?
Jesus sees right through their trick and asks them to bring him a Roman coin so he can show them something.
What’s Happening Here
Jesus isn't fooled by their flattery. He calls out their dishonesty and asks for a coin as part of his response.
Key Words
HypocrisyPretending to be something you're not; being fake
DenariusA Roman coin used for paying taxes
Why It Matters
Jesus wasn't going to be tricked by people pretending to ask an honest question. He could see their real intentions.
Did You Know?
The fact that the questioners had a Roman coin handy shows they were already using Roman money and benefiting from Roman systems.
Word Study
G1325
Shall we giveδῶμεν
G2228
orἥ
G3361
shall we notμή
G1161
Butδὲ
G1492
I may seeἴδω
G846
theirαὐτοῖς
G5272
hypocrisyὑπόκρισιν
G2036
saidεἶπεν
G5101
WhyΤί
G3165
meμε
G3985
tempt yeπειράζετε
G5342
bringφέρετέ
G3427
meμοι
G1220
a pennyδηνάριον
G2443
thatἵνα
Cross References
Continue Exploring
Read Mark 12:15 in the Bible reader, or explore the full chapter summary.