Mar 12:15 Why tempt you me? bring me a penny, that I may see [it].
Mar 12:15 Why tempt you me? bring me a penny, that I may see [it].
Alternative: Why test me? Fetch me a silver coin so I might investigate.
Hidden meaning: This is much lighter in feeling in the Greek. The English translation sound angry, but the Greek makes the speaker sound like he is having fun. He is being tested, but he is also the one giving the orders, demanding to be given money, no less for his answer. He doesn't want to be tested (a better translation the "tempted," but he proceeds to "investigate" the question.
Thematically and Linguistically Related Verse(s): Mat 22.19-20 are the parallel verses in Matthew but the second part uses completely different vocabulary.
Vocabulary:
"Why" is from tis (tis) which can mean "someone," "any one," "everyone," "many a one," "whoever," and so on. In a question, it can mean "who," "why," or "what."
"Tempt" is from peirazô (peirazo), which means "to attempt," "to try," "to test," and, in a bad sense, "to seek to seduce," and "to tempt."
"Bring" is from pherô (phero), which means "to bear," "to carry," "to bring," "to produce," and "to fetch."
"Penny" is from dênarion (denarion), which was the principle silver coin of the Roman Empire in NT times.
"That" is from hina (hina), which means "in that place," "there," "where," "when," "that," "in order that," "when," and "because."
"See" is from eidon (eidon), which means "to see," "to perceive," "to behold," "to experience," "to look," "to see mentally," "to examine," "to investigate," "to see with the mind's eye," and "to know how."
