12:14
They start by flattering Jesus, addressing Him as “Rabbi” or “teacher”. They add that they know He is a man of integrity and is not swayed by others, nor impressed by the apparent importance of an individual. Instead He teaches “the way of God in accordance with the truth”. If they believed that, then one might reasonably ask why did they not listen to Jesus!? Then comes the question, “is it right to pay the poll-tax to Caesar or not?”. The poll-tax was levied on subject citizens, not Roman citizens in Judea. Jesus, coming from Galilee, would not have been subject to the tax (Schnabel). An answer of yes would have turned the people against Jesus, a negative answer would have got Him into trouble with the Romans.
12:15
Then they ask if they should pay the tax or not. The tax may have been unjust, but it should be paid anyway so as to have a quiet life. Jesus knew the thinking behind their question and their flattery. So, as He often did, Jesus turned the tables back on His questioners. So He asked them to bring a denarius to Him. Presumably Jesus did not have a coin with Him, or maybe He just did this for effect.
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