Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 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.]
15. knowing their hypocrisy ] “verum se eis ostendit, ut dixerant.” Bengel.
bring me ] “They would not be likely to carry with them the hated Roman coinage with its heathen symbols, though they might have been at once able to produce from their girdles the Temple shekel. But they would only have to step outside the Court of the Gentiles, and obtain from the money-changers’ tables a current Roman coin.” Farrar, Life, ii. p. 231.
a penny ] Literally, a denarius, for the value of which see Mar 6:37.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Mar 12:15
But He knowing their hypocrisy.
Hypocrisy
Sir John Trevor, who had for some misdemeanours been expelled from Parliament, one day meeting Archbishop Tillotson, cried out, I hate to see an Atheist in the shape of a Churchman. And I, replied the good Bishop, hate to see a knave in any shape. (Clerical Anecdotes.)
Always a hypocrite
The sincerity of his (the Emperor Alexius) moral and religious virtues was suspected by the persons who had passed their lives in his familiar confidence. In the last hours, when he was pressed by his wife Irene to alter the succession, he raised his head and breathed a pious ejaculation on the vanity of this world. The indignant reply of the Empress may be inscribed as an epitaph on his tomb: You die as you have lived-a hypocrite. (Gibbon.)
Bring Me a penny.
Lessons in the smallest things
We may learn and be put in mind of good and Christian duties by the smallest things that are in common use amongst us; e.g., the very stamp of the coin or money which is in common circulation may put us in mind of our duty of subjection and obedience to the prince and to all lawful magistrates. So also the matter of the coin, whereof it is made, being silver or gold, may remind us of Gods goodness and bounty towards us, in affording us such precious metals for our use and trading one with another. The meanest garment we wear may cause us to think of our sins and be humbled for them, sin being the first cause of nakedness appearing shameful. Every bit of meat or bread which we eat may teach us the frailty of our bodies, which cannot be sustained without such food. Every blade of grass in the field, and every flower in our garden may put us in mind of our mortality, and stir us up to prepare for death and judgment. Hence, also, it is that the Scriptures send us sometimes to brute beasts to learn our duties, as to the ox and the ass, and to the birds of the air, yea to such tiny creatures as the ant. This leaves us without excuse if, having so many masters at hand and near about us continually to teach us and stir us up to our duties, we yet do not learn, or make conscience of what is required of us. (G. Petter.)
The Roman penny
The silver penny was a coin a little larger than a sixpence, but probably equal to 4s. or 5s. in purchasing power. In this coin the poll tax-so much for each man-was paid. Until very lately the Jews had had a Hebrew coinage, on which no head was permitted (in deference to the second commandment), but which carried the names of their ruler and their high priest. Even now the Herods issued money of their own coinage. But since Judaea had been reduced to a province, the Roman penny had been introduced, and was the coin legally demanded for payment of taxes. Its use proclaimed who was master, as the head of Victoria on an Indian rupee proclaims her ruler of India. Indeed, already it had become a maxim that he is ruler whose coin is current in a land. It was not, therefore, an unsettled question whether they would have the Romans for their rulers or not; but they being rulers-and any government being better than anarchy-were they at liberty to withhold the amount needed for its fair support? (R. Glover.)
Christs victory over cunning
I. They take counsel. He is thoroughly armed.
II. They would entangle Him. He seeks to deliver them out of their own snare.
III. They praise Him in order to His destruction. He rebukes them, for their awakening and salvation. (J. P. Lange, D. D.)
A penny
A penny has two sides. As I hold it up I see one and you the other. If I were to ask you what is represented on the coin, you would say, A portrait of the Queen and some Latin. If I say what I see it is something very different, it is a representation of Britannia and some English. You say one thing and I say another. Now, suppose we were to wrangle about it, and I were to contradict you, and say, It is a falsehood; I can see no likeness of the Queen; and you were to say, You must be out of your senses; I am sure there is one; that would be very foolish. Yet that is about the way with one half of the disputes amongst people. It is so with many religious controversies. And with party feeling in politics. And with those quarrels that take place in the family or amongst friends. People cannot see both sides of the penny at once. Two persons may have very different opinions on the same subject, and yet both be right. Try and remember that when you look on a penny. Look at these two sides. On the one is a portrait of the Queen. It has two inscriptions. Victoria D.G. that means by Divine grace. It is well to acknowledge that every blessing we have is through the grace of God. Then we read, Britt. Reg. F.D. that means Queen of the Britains, or the British Islands, and Defender of the Faith. The double T shows the plural, which in Latin is by doubling the last letter rather than adding S, as in English. There is a beautiful story told of our Queen. When she was a little girl, about twelve years of age, her tutors thought the time had come when she ought to know that she might some day become Queen of this great and glorious nation. Into one of her lesson books was put a paper which showed to her that it might be so. On looking at it, she said, I see I am nearer the throne than I thought. So it is, madam, said her governess. After some moments thought the Princess said, Now, many a child would boast, but they dont know the difficulty. There is much splendour, but there is more responsibility. Then she gave the lady her hand, and said, I will be good. That was a noble resolve. None of you can hope to gain an earthly crown, but you may each resolve, and solemnly say, I will be good. Better be good than great, better be good than rich, better be good than powerful, better be good than to sit on a throne. Best of all to have the true goodness-that which comes from the love of the Lord Jesus Christ. On the penny the crown is a crown of leaves. It is a fading crown. Jesus Christ has promised to all who trust Him a crown of glory that fadeth not away. You cannot be kings and queens here, but if you are amongst the followers of Christ you will be grander in heaven than kings and queens. Of all things it is best to be a Christian. The Lord said, Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. Try and remember that when you look upon a penny. Look to the other side, and consider the representation of Britannia. It is full of beautiful suggestions of what our nation should be. Let us consider the emblem, and we shall find it quite a treasury of good ideas. Our country would be indeed great and glorious if every British young person acted up to them.
1. She appears very calm, holding firm the shield of faith in her right hand. On the shield are three crosses-the cross of St. George of England, the cross of St. Andrew of Scotland, and the cross of St. Patrick of Ireland. The true Christian, however, only lays hold of the one true cross-that of Jesus Christ-and finds, resting upon that, a peace that passeth all understanding.
2. She is clad from head to foot with a robe. This reminds us that by faith in the Lord Christ the Christian has the robe of righteousness, which covers every defect. It is pure and white, and the wedding garment of the marriage supper of the Lamb. The saints in glory are represented as having washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
3. She holds her head erect, having on the helmet. The Apostle speaks of the helmet of hope. Nothing can more enable us to lift up our heads and look out brightly than the hope of heaven.
4. She is prepared for attack. She holds the very ancient weapon called the trident. The Christian is surrounded by danger, and always liable to the attacks of sin and Satan, and should ever be on the guard, and the old weapon of the Word of God is the best after all. Whilst resting on faith, wearing the robe of righteousness, and lifting up the head with hope, there must be the preparation for conflict: Jesus Christ bid all His followers Watch. There are two other beautiful emblems of the Christian hero. One is a lighthouse. This is a tall column placed in a dangerous part of the ocean, in which there is a powerful light. That shines out into the darkness and so guides vessels safely into the harbour. Thus the Christian is to show the light of the knowledge of Jesus Christ, and help souls to avoid dangerous rocks and to find the way to heaven. On another part of the coin is a ship in full sail. That, too, is an emblem of the Christian. He leaves the port of this world; he takes Christ for his captain; he sails through perils and dangers, through sunshine and storm, but reaches at last the desired haven. Try and remember these truths when you look upon a penny. Thus I have endeavoured to give you some of the important lessons which Jesus taught, and to illustrate them by a penny, so that when you look at a penny you may remember some of these truths you ought ever to have in mind. There are many others which might be considered if time permitted, and which you may well discover for yourselves. I conclude by giving you a very beautiful old Rabbinical legend taken from the Talmud:-
From the mint two bright, new pennies came,
The value and beauty of both the same;
One slipt from the hand, and fell to the ground,
Then rolled out of sight and could not be found.
The other was passed by many a hand,
Through many a change in many a land;
For temple dues paid, now used in the mart,
Now bestowed on the poor by a pitying heart.
At length it so happened, as years went round,
That the long-lost, unused coin was found.
Filthy and black, its inscription destroyed
Through rusting peacefully unemployed;
Whilst the well-worked coin was bright and clear
Through active service year after year;
For the brightest are those who live for duty-
Rust more than rubbing will tarnish beauty.
(J. H. Cooke.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 15. Shall we give, or shall we not give?] This is wanting in the Codex Bezae, and in several versions.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
15. Shall we give, or shall we notgive? But he, knowing their hypocrisy“their wickedness”(Mt 22:18); “theircraftiness” (Lu 20:23).The malignity of their hearts took the form of craft, pretending whatthey did not feelan anxious desire to be guided aright in a matterwhich to a scrupulous few might seem a question of some difficulty.Seeing perfectly through this,
He said unto them, Why temptye me?“hypocrites!”
bring me a penny that I maysee it“the tribute money” (Mt22:19).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Shall we give, or not give?…. They not only ask whether it was lawful, but whether also it was advisable to do it, that they might not only accuse him of his principles, but charge him with persuading, or dissuading in this case. These words are left out in the Vulgate Latin, Arabic, Persic, and Ethiopic versions:
but he knowing their hypocrisy; expressed in their flattering titles and characters of him, and which lay hid in their secret designs against him; which being thoroughly known to him,
said unto them, why tempt ye me: bring me a penny, that I may see it; what it is, that is required for tribute;
[See comments on Mt 22:18],
[See comments on Mt 22:19].
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Knowing their hypocrisy ( ). Mt 22:18 has “perceived their wickedness” ( ) while Lu 20:23 says, “perceived their craftiness” ( ). Each of these words throws a flash-light on the spirit and attitude of these young men. They were sly, shrewd, slick, but they did not deceive Jesus with their pious palaver. See on Matthew for further details.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Penny. See on Mt 20:2.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “Shall we give, or shall we not give?” (domen e me domen) “May we give or may we not give?” A simple negative would constitute a capital civil offense against the Roman government and a simple affirmative reply would offend the Jewish people.
2) “But He, knowing their hypocrisy,” (ho de eidos auton ten hupokristin) “Then He knowing their uniform hypocrisy,” the joint-hypocrisy of both the Pharisees and the Herodians, Mar 12:13, their wickedness, as He knows what is in man, Psa 94:11; Mat 22:18. Luke calls it “their craftiness,” Luk 20:23.
3) “Said unto them, why tempt ye me?” (eipen autois ti me peirazete) “Chided them, why do you all tempt me?” Mat 22:19.
4) “Bring me a penny,” (pherete moi denarion) “Just gently bring me the penny,” without any fanfare, bring me the “denarius,” as in Mat 18:28; Mat 22:19. The Roman penny was of about fifteen cents value. It was a coin of silver, smaller than a quarter of a dollar, the usual pay for a day’s wages.
5) “That I may see it.” (hina ido) “in order that I may see it,” inspect it and comment regarding it and your “tribute” question. It is almost a touch of humor, as if He needed to study it.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(15) But he, knowing their hypocrisy.St. Mark uses the specific word that describes the sin of the questioners, instead of the more general wickedness of St. Matthew. On the other hand, he omits the word hypocrites as applied to them by our Lord.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
‘But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, “Why do you put me to the test? Bring me a denarius that I may see it.” ’
Not surprisingly Jesus could see right through them, and hypocrisy was the only word to describe their behaviour. They had said things about Him that must have made them cringe inside, for they believed none of it. So He first let them, and the crowds, know that He recognised that they were trying to test Him, and then He called for a denarius to be brought to Him. It is significant that neither He nor His disciples had one (compare Mat 17:24-27 which shows this to have been the normal situation). But one was soon produced from these men, probably from an Herodian, who were pretending that they wanted to know whether it was right in God’s eyes to pay the poll tax.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
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 .
Ver. 15. See Trapp on “ Mat 22:19 “
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
15. ] ., Mark and Luke, = . ., Matt.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Mar 12:15 . : instead of Mt.’s ; as a matter of fact the denarius was the coin of the tribute. , that I may see: as if He needed to study the matter, a touch of humour. The question was already settled by the existence of a coin with Caesar’s image on it. This verb and the next, , are without object; laconic style.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
Shall we give, &c. A Divine supplement, here.
not. Greek me. App-105. Same word as in Mar 12:24. Not the same as in verses: Mar 12:10, Mar 12:14, Mar 12:24-; Mar 12:26; Mar 12:27; Mar 12:34,
penny = denarion. See note on Mat 22:19. App-51.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
15.] ., Mark and Luke, = . ., Matt.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Mar 12:15. , that I may see) The Saviour seems [judging by the , as if He had not looked at one before] then for the first time to have handled and looked at a denarius [penny].
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
knowing: Mat 22:18, Luk 20:23, Joh 2:24, Joh 2:25, Joh 21:17, Heb 4:13, Rev 2:23
Why: Mar 10:2, Eze 17:2, Act 5:9, 1Co 10:9
a penny: “Valuing of our money, sevenpence halfpenny, as Mat 18:28, marg.
Reciprocal: Mat 9:4 – knowing Mat 16:1 – tempting Mat 19:3 – tempting Mar 8:11 – tempting Luk 20:20 – they watched 1Pe 2:1 – hypocrisies
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
5
Knowing their hypocrisy, Jesus did not answer directly by “yes” or “no,” but asked to see a piece of money.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Jesus exposed their question for what it was, malicious entrapment rather than honest inquiry. The small silver denarius was the only coin the Romans accepted in payment for taxes. [Note: Grassmick, p. 162.] The images on the coin showed that Rome had political authority over those who used it.
"The denarius of Tiberius portrayed the emperor as the simi-divine son of the god Augustus and the goddess Livia and bore the (abbreviated) inscription ’Tiberius Caesar Augustus, Son of the Divine Augustus’ on the obverse and ’Pontifex Maximus’ on the reverse. Both the representations and the inscriptions were rooted in the imperial cult and constituted a claim to divine honors." [Note: Lane, p. 424.]