Matthew 22
WesleyMatthew 22:1
When he was come into the temple, the chief priests came - Who thought he violated their right: and the elders of the people - Probably, members of the sanhedrim, to whom that title most properly belonged: which is the more probable, as they were the persons under whose cognizance the late action of Christ, in purging the temple, would naturally fall. These, with the chief priests, seem purposely to have appeared in a considerable company, to give the more weight to what they said, and if need were, to bear a united testimony against him. As he was teaching - Which also they supposed he had no authority to do, being neither priest, nor Levite, nor scribe. Some of the priests (though not as priests) and all the scribes were authorized teachers. By what authority dost thou these things - Publicly teach the people! And drive out those who had our commission to traffic in the outer court? Luke 20:1; Mark 11:27.
Matthew 22:2
I will ask you one thing - Who have asked me many: The baptism, that is, the whole ministry of John, was it from heaven or from men? - By what authority did he act and teach? Did man or God give him that authority? Was it not God? But if so, the consequence was clear. For John testified that Jesus was the Christ.
Matthew 22:3
Why did ye not believe him - Testifying this.
Matthew 22:5
Neither tell I you - Not again, in express terms: he had often told them before, and they would not believe him.
Matthew 22:8
He answered, I go, sir: but went not - Just so did the scribes and Pharisees: they professed the greatest readiness and zeal in the service of God: but it was bare profession, contradicted by all their actions.
Matthew 22:10
John came in a way of righteousness - Walking in it, as well as teaching it. The publicans and harlots - The most notorious sinners were reformed, though at first they said, I will not. And ye seeing the amazing change which was wrought in them, though at first ye said, I go, sir, repented not afterward - Were no more convinced than before. O how is this scripture fulfilled at this day!
Matthew 22:11
A certain householder planted a vineyard - God planted the Church in Canaan; and hedged it round about - First with the law, then with his peculiar providence: and digged a wine press - Perhaps it may mean Jerusalem: and built a tower - The temple: and went into a far country - That is, left the keepers of his vineyard, in some measure, to behave as they should see good. Mark 12:1; Luke 20:9.
Matthew 22:12
He sent his servants - His extraordinary messengers, the prophets: to the husbandmen - The ordinary preachers or ministers of the Jews.
Matthew 22:19
They say - Perhaps some of the by - standers, not the chief priests or Pharisees; who, as St. Luke relates, said, God forbid, Luke 20:16.
Matthew 22:20
The builders - The scribes and priests, whose office it was to build up the Church. Is become the head of the corner - Or the chief corner stone: he is become the foundation of the Church, on which the whole building rests, and is the principal corner stone, for uniting the Gentiles to it, as the chief corner stone of a house supports and links its two sides together. Psalms 118:22.
Matthew 22:21
Therefore - Because ye reject this corner stone. The kingdom of God - That is, the Gospel.
Matthew 22:22
Whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken - Stumblers at Christ shall even then receive much hurt. He is said to fall on this stone, who hears the Gospel and does not believe. But on whomsoever it shall fall - In vengeance, it will utterly destroy him. It will fall on every unbeliever, when Christ cometh in the clouds of heaven. Luke 20:18.
Matthew 22:26
Jesus answering, spake - That is, spake with reference to what had just past.
Matthew 22:27
A king, who made a marriage feast for his son - So did God, when he brought his first - begotten into the world.
Matthew 22:28
Them that were invited - Namely, the Jews.
Matthew 22:29
Fatlings - Fatted beasts and fowls.
Matthew 22:30
One to his farm, another to his merchandise - One must mind what he has; another, gain what he wants. How many perish by misusing lawful things!
Matthew 22:32
The king sending forth his troops - The Roman armies employed of God for that purpose. Destroyed those murderers - Primarily the Jews.
Matthew 22:33
Go into the highways - The word properly signifies, the by - ways, or turnings of the road.
Matthew 22:35
They gathered all - By preaching every where.
Matthew 22:36
The guest - The members of the visible Church.
Matthew 22:37
A wedding garment - The righteousness of Christ, first imputed, then implanted. It may easily be observed, this has no relation to the Lord’s Supper, but to God’s proceeding at the last day.
Matthew 22:39
Many are called; few chosen - Many hear; few believe. Yea, many are members of the visible, but few of the invisible Church. Matthew 20:16.
Matthew 22:40
Matthew 22:41
The Herodians were a set of men peculiarly attached to Herod, and consequently zealous for the interest of the Roman government, which was the main support of the dignity and royalty of his family. Thou regardest not the person of men - Thou favourest no man for his riches or greatness.
Matthew 22:42
Is it lawful to give tribute to Cesar? - If he had said, Yes, the Pharisees would have accused him to the people, as a betrayer of the liberties of his country. If he had said, No, the Herodians would have accused him to the Roman governor.
Matthew 22:43
Ye hypocrites - Pretending a scruple of conscience.
Matthew 22:45
The tribute money - A Roman coin, stamped with the head of Cesar, which was usually paid in tribute.
Matthew 22:46
They say to him, Cesar’s - Plainly acknowledging, by their having received his coin, that they were under his government. And indeed this is a standing rule. The current coin of every nation shows who is the supreme governor of it. Render therefore, ye Pharisees, to Cesar the things which ye yourselves acknowledge to be Cesar’s: and, ye Herodians, while ye are zealous for Cesar, see that ye render to God the things that are God’s.