Matthew 22:15
Matthew 22:15 in Multiple Translations
Then the Pharisees went out and conspired to trap Jesus in His words.
¶ Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.
Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might ensnare him in his talk.
Then the Pharisees went and had a meeting to see how they might make use of his words to take him.
Then the Pharisees left and met together to plot how they could trap him by what he said.
Then went the Pharises and tooke counsell how they might tangle him in talke.
Then the Pharisees having gone, took counsel how they might ensnare him in words,
Then the Pharisees went and took counsel how they might entrap him in his talk.
Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.
Then the Pharisees going, consulted among themselves how to insnare him in his speech.
After Jesus said that, the Pharisees met together in order to plan how they could cause him to say something that would enable them to accuse him.
Berean Amplified Bible — Matthew 22:15
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Matthew 22:15 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Greek Word Reference — Matthew 22:15
Study Notes — Matthew 22:15
- Context
- Cross References
- Matthew 22:15 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Matthew 22:15
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Matthew 22:15
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Matthew 22:15
- Trapp's Commentary on Matthew 22:15
- Ellicott's Commentary on Matthew 22:15
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Matthew 22:15
- Cambridge Bible on Matthew 22:15
- Barnes' Notes on Matthew 22:15
- Whedon's Commentary on Matthew 22:15
- Sermons on Matthew 22:15
Context — Paying Taxes to Caesar
15Then the Pharisees went out and conspired to trap Jesus in His words.
16They sent their disciples to Him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that You are honest and that You teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You seek favor from no one, because You pay no attention to external appearance. 17So tell us what You think: Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luke 20:20–26 | So they watched Him closely and sent spies who pretended to be sincere. They were hoping to catch Him in His words in order to hand Him over to the rule and authority of the governor. “Teacher,” they inquired, “we know that You speak and teach correctly. You show no partiality, but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” But Jesus saw through their duplicity and said to them, “Show Me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?” “Caesar’s,” they answered. So Jesus told them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” And they were unable to trap Him in His words before the people; and amazed at His answer, they fell silent. |
| 2 | Mark 12:13–17 | Later, they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to catch Jesus in His words. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that You are honest and seek favor from no one. Indeed, You are impartial and teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay them or not?” But Jesus saw through their hypocrisy and said, “Why are you testing Me? Bring Me a denarius to inspect.” So they brought it, and He asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they answered. Then Jesus told them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” And they marveled at Him. |
| 3 | Psalms 2:2 | The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together, against the LORD and against His Anointed One: |
| 4 | Psalms 56:5–7 | All day long they twist my words; all their thoughts are on my demise. They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps while they wait to take my life. In spite of such sin, will they escape? In Your anger, O God, cast down the nations. |
| 5 | Psalms 59:3 | See how they lie in wait for me. Fierce men conspire against me for no transgression or sin of my own, O LORD. |
| 6 | Psalms 57:6 | They spread a net for my feet; my soul was despondent. They dug a pit before me, but they themselves have fallen into it! Selah |
| 7 | Jeremiah 18:18 | Then some said, “Come, let us make plans against Jeremiah, for the law will never be lost to the priest, nor counsel to the wise, nor an oracle to the prophet. Come, let us denounce him and pay no heed to any of his words.” |
| 8 | Jeremiah 20:10 | For I have heard the whispering of many: “Terror is on every side! Report him; let us report him!” All my trusted friends watch for my fall: “Perhaps he will be deceived so that we may prevail against him and take our vengeance upon him.” |
| 9 | Isaiah 29:21 | those who indict a man with a word, who ensnare the mediator at the gate, and who with false charges deprive the innocent of justice. |
| 10 | Luke 11:53–54 | As Jesus went on from there, the scribes and Pharisees began to oppose Him bitterly and to ply Him with questions about many things, waiting to catch Him in something He might say. |
Matthew 22:15 Summary
[This verse tells us that the Pharisees were trying to trick Jesus into saying something that would get Him into trouble. They didn't like what He was teaching and wanted to find a way to stop Him. This shows us that even back then, there were people who didn't like Jesus and wanted to hurt Him, just like it says in John 15:18. But Jesus was always one step ahead of them and used their questions as opportunities to teach them about God's love.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What motivated the Pharisees to conspire against Jesus?
The Pharisees were motivated by a desire to trap Jesus in His words, likely due to their disagreement with His teachings and their perception that He was a threat to their authority, as seen in Matthew 22:15 and also in Matthew 12:14 where they plotted to destroy Him.
How did the Pharisees plan to trap Jesus?
The Pharisees planned to trap Jesus by asking Him questions that would appear to be innocent but were actually designed to elicit a response that could be used against Him, as seen in Matthew 22:16-17 where they ask about paying taxes to Caesar.
What does this verse reveal about the character of the Pharisees?
This verse reveals that the Pharisees were deceitful and cunning, willing to use underhanded tactics to achieve their goals, which is consistent with Jesus' warning about the leaven of the Pharisees in Matthew 16:6 and Luke 12:1.
How does this verse relate to the broader context of Matthew 22?
This verse is part of a larger narrative in which Jesus is interacting with various groups, including the Pharisees, and teaching about the kingdom of God, as seen in Matthew 22:1-14 where Jesus tells the parable of the wedding feast.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I might be trying to 'trap' others in their words, and how can I instead seek to understand and love them?
- How can I be more aware of the motivations and intentions of those around me, and how can I respond in a way that is wise and loving?
- What are some areas in my life where I might be trying to 'outsmart' God or manipulate others, and how can I instead surrender to His will and seek to please Him?
- How can I use my words to build up and encourage others, rather than trying to tear them down or trap them?
Gill's Exposition on Matthew 22:15
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Matthew 22:15
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Matthew 22:15
Trapp's Commentary on Matthew 22:15
Ellicott's Commentary on Matthew 22:15
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Matthew 22:15
Cambridge Bible on Matthew 22:15
Barnes' Notes on Matthew 22:15
Whedon's Commentary on Matthew 22:15
Sermons on Matthew 22:15
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(Matthew) ch.21:23-23:6 by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of two commandments given by Jesus: to love God with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind, and to love our neighbor as ours |
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The Church in Bondage by James Robison | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of listening to God's word and recognizing His authority. He explains that God is coming forth from His place to judge and co |
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Jesus - You Don't Care About Anyone by Shane Idleman | Shane Idleman addresses the misconception that Jesus does not care about anyone, emphasizing that He indeed cares deeply for us but does not conform to human opinions or fears. He |
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Matthew 22:15-22. Christ Replies to the Pharisees and Herodians Respecting Paying Tribute. by Favell Lee Mortimer | Favell Lee Mortimer preaches about the encounter between the Pharisees and Jesus, where they tried to trap Him with a question about paying tribute to Caesar. Jesus' response, 'Ren |
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Pharisees Seek to Catch Others in Their Words by Zac Poonen | Zac Poonen addresses the behavior of the Pharisees who sought to trap Jesus with their questions, particularly regarding the lawfulness of divorce. He draws parallels to modern-day |
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Christ's Teaching Concerning Civil Government Matthew 22:15-22 by R.A. Torrey | R.A. Torrey explores Christ's teachings on civil government in Matthew 22:15-22, focusing on the conspiracy of the Pharisees and Herodians against Jesus. He highlights their hypocr |
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Major Ian Thomas - Part 1 by Major Ian Thomas | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the power of God's word and its ability to uphold all things in the universe. He highlights the importance of understanding the Gospel of Lu |






