But, knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why put me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.”
When the enemies of Christ, who thirsted for his blood, could not find occasion against him from what he said against them, they tried to ensnare him by putting questions to him. Here we have him tempted, or attempted rather, with a question about the lawfulness of paying tribute to Caesar. We had this narrative, Mat 22:15. I.
Commenting on Mark 12:13-17
And Jesus answering said unto them,.... Very wisely and pertinently, render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's: or "to the king, which are the king's", as the Arabic and Ethiopic versions render it: and to God the things that are God's; See Gill on Mat 22:21; and they marvelled at him; at his wisdom and prudence in returning such an answer, which cut off all occasion against him.
Verse 15. (1) "penny" or "Valuing of our money, seven pence halfpenny, as