Mark 12:15 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

¹⁵ 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 versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

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.

Amplified Bible - Classic Edition

¹⁵ 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)

¹⁵ 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

¹⁵ 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

¹⁵ 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."

Mark 12:15 Cross References

Revelation 2:23

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.

Hebrews 4:13

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.

1 Corinthians 10:9

Neither should we put the Lord to a test as some of them did, and were killed by snake bites [See Num. 21:5ff]

Acts 5:9

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].”

John 21:17

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.

Luke 20:23

But Jesus perceived their trickery, and said to them,

Mark 10:2

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?”

Matthew 22:18

But Jesus perceived their wicked intention and said, “Why are you putting me to a test, you hypocrites?

Matthew 20:2

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].

Mark 12:14

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?

Mark 12:16

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.”

John 8:6

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.