Mark 12:15
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.
Original Language Analysis
δῶμεν
Shall we give
G1325
δῶμεν
Shall we give
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
1 of 20
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
μή
shall we not
G3361
μή
shall we not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
3 of 20
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
δῶμεν
Shall we give
G1325
δῶμεν
Shall we give
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
4 of 20
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἴδω
I may see
G1492
ἴδω
I may see
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
7 of 20
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
αὐτοῖς
their
G846
αὐτοῖς
their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
8 of 20
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
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὑπόκρισιν
hypocrisy
G5272
ὑπόκρισιν
hypocrisy
Strong's:
G5272
Word #:
10 of 20
acting under a feigned part, i.e., (figuratively) deceit ("hypocrisy")
αὐτοῖς
their
G846
αὐτοῖς
their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
12 of 20
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
Τί
Why
G5101
Τί
Why
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
13 of 20
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
πειράζετε
tempt ye
G3985
πειράζετε
tempt ye
Strong's:
G3985
Word #:
15 of 20
to test (objectively), i.e., endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline
φέρετέ
bring
G5342
φέρετέ
bring
Strong's:
G5342
Word #:
16 of 20
to "bear" or carry (in a very wide application, literally and figuratively, as follows)
Cross References
Revelation 2:23And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.Hebrews 4:13Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.Acts 5:9Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.Mark 10:2And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him.1 Corinthians 10:9Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.Matthew 22:18But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?John 21:17He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.Luke 20:23But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me?Ezekiel 17:2Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable unto the house of Israel;
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Jesus' recognition of their hypocrisy teach about discernment regarding disingenuous questions disguised as sincere inquiry?
- How does Jesus' request for them to produce the coin expose their own participation in what they're questioning?
Related Resources
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Analysis & 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.