King James Version

What Does Mark 12:15 Mean?

Mark 12:15 in the King James Version says “Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny,...” — study this verse from Mark chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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. penny: valuing of our money seven pence halfpenny”

Mark 12:15 · KJV

Context

13

And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words.

14

And when they were come, they say unto 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 Caesar, or not?

15

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. penny: valuing of our money seven pence halfpenny

16

And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar's.

17

And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him.

Read Mark 12 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy (δῶμεν ἢ μὴ δῶμεν; ὁ δὲ εἰδὼς αὐτῶν τὴν ὑπόκρισιν)—Jesus perceived their duplicity. The noun hypokrisin (ὑπόκρισιν) originally meant stage-acting, wearing a mask. Their question feigned respect while concealing malice. Jesus' omniscience penetrated their facade (John 2:24-25).

Why tempt ye me? (τί με πειράζετε;). The verb peirazete (πειράζετε) means to test or tempt—the same word describing Satan's wilderness temptation (Mark 1:13). This wasn't honest inquiry but spiritual warfare. Bring me a penny, that I may see it (φέρετέ μοι δηνάριον ἵνα ἴδω)—Jesus' request for a denarius was brilliant: requiring them to produce Roman currency exposed their own complicity in the system they questioned. Those carrying Caesar's coins already participated in Rome's economy.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jesus' demand for a denarius was masterful strategy. The denarius bore the emperor's graven image and blasphemous inscription claiming divinity—arguably violating the second commandment's prohibition of graven images (Exodus 20:4). Yet His questioners possessed these coins, revealing their own compromise. The temple had money changers precisely because Jews needed to exchange 'unclean' Roman coins for 'clean' temple currency. Jesus' request forced His opponents to publicly produce the very coin they implied faithful Jews shouldn't possess. This rhetorical move exposed their hypocrisy before answering their question.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Jesus' recognition of their hypocrisy teach about discernment regarding disingenuous questions disguised as sincere inquiry?
  2. How does Jesus' request for them to produce the coin expose their own participation in what they're questioning?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 20 words
δῶμεν1 of 20

“Shall we give”

G1325

to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)

ἥ2 of 20

“or”

G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

μή3 of 20

“shall we not”

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

δῶμεν4 of 20

“Shall we give”

G1325

to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)

ὁ5 of 20
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δὲ6 of 20

“But”

G1161

but, and, etc

ἴδω7 of 20

“I may see”

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

αὐτοῖς8 of 20

“their”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

τὴν9 of 20
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὑπόκρισιν10 of 20

“hypocrisy”

G5272

acting under a feigned part, i.e., (figuratively) deceit ("hypocrisy")

εἶπεν11 of 20

“said”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

αὐτοῖς12 of 20

“their”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Τί13 of 20

“Why”

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

με14 of 20

“me”

G3165

me

πειράζετε15 of 20

“tempt ye”

G3985

to test (objectively), i.e., endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline

φέρετέ16 of 20

“bring”

G5342

to "bear" or carry (in a very wide application, literally and figuratively, as follows)

μοι17 of 20

“me”

G3427

to me

δηνάριον18 of 20

“a penny”

G1220

a denarius (or ten asses)

ἵνα19 of 20

“that”

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

ἴδω20 of 20

“I may see”

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Mark. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Mark 12:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Mark 12:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Revelation 2:231 Corinthians 10:9Luke 20:23Ezekiel 17:2Acts 5:9John 2:24-25

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