Mark 12:15 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition) Should we pay it, or should we not pay it?” But Jesus was aware of their hypocrisy and said to them, “Bring me the coin so I can see it.” [Note: The amount of this coin was equivalent to one twelve-hour day of a farm laborer’s pay, or about $108 in 2005]. More versionsKing James Version (Oxford) 1769 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. Amplified Bible - Classic Edition Should we pay [them] or should we not pay [them]? But knowing their hypocrisy, He asked them, Why do you put Me to the test? Bring Me a coin (a denarius), so I may see it. American Standard Version (1901) Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why make ye trial of me? bring me a denarius, that I may see it. Common English Bible Since Jesus recognized their deceit, he said to them, “Why are you testing me? Bring me a coin. Show it to me.” Catholic Public Domain Version And knowing their skill in deception, he said to them: "Why do you test me? Bring me a denarius, so that I may see it." Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version Who knowing their wiliness, saith to them: Why tempt you me? bring me a penny that I may see it. |
When he had agreed with the workers [on wages] for the usual farm laborer’s pay for a day’s work, he [then] sent them to work in his vineyard. [Note: The coin mentioned here would amount to about $9.00, based on the average farm laborer’s hourly wage in 2005. [National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Feb. 2005]. This coin also forms the basis for calculating all other monetary references in the New Testament].
But Jesus perceived their wicked intention and said, “Why are you putting me to a test, you hypocrites?
Some Pharisees [i.e., a strict sect of the Jewish religion] came to Him [and attempted] to test Him by asking, “Is it permissible by the Law of Moses for a man to divorce his wife?”
And when they arrived, they said to Him, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and [that you] do not care for [i.e., do not fear or give in to] anyone. For you do not allow [the position of] any person to influence you, but teach the truth about God’s way. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?
So, they brought it to Him and He said to them, “Whose image and inscription [are on this coin]?” And they answered Him, “Caesar’s.”
Then Jesus asked him a third time, “Simon, son of John, do you [truly] love me?” Peter was sad because Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you [even] love me?” So, he said to Jesus, “Lord, you know all things. You [surely] know that I love you.” Jesus replied to him, “[Then] feed my sheep.
They said this to test Him, in order to have a charge to bring against Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote [something] on the ground [i.e., in the dirt] with His finger.
Then Peter said to her, “Why did you agree together [with your husband] to put the Holy Spirit of the Lord to the test? Look, the ones who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out [to bury you, too].”
Neither should we put the Lord to a test as some of them did, and were killed by snake bites [See Num. 21:5ff]
And no created being is hidden from God’s sight, but everything is laid bare and is openly visible to the eyes of God, to whom we must give account.
And I will strike her children dead [or, “kill her children by some terrible calamity” See Ex. 5:3 LXX]. Then all the churches will know that I am the One who searches the inmost being of people. [Note: The Greek says, “searches the kidneys and hearts.” In that day these internal organs stood for the inner thoughts, emotions, etc.]. And I will repay each one of you people according to what you have done.