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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 22:15

Then went the Pharisees. After they had heard the parables, and were for the time silenced, they departed from the public courts of the temple, and betook themselves to the hall of the Sanhedrin, that they might plot some stratagem against Jesus. How they might entangle ( παγιδευ ì σωσιν ) him in his talk. The verb (not elsewhere found in the New Testament) means "to lay a snare for" an object. The Pharisees did not dare to use open violence, but they now endeavoured by insidious... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 22:15

Purposed entanglements. As foolish a thing as was ever attempted was trying to entangle Jesus in talk. A difficult business enough if Jesus had been only a wise prophet teacher. A hopeless business, seeing that Jesus was the Son of God, and read thoughts and hearts, and "knew what was in man." We are to understand that different parties agreed to set several traps for Jesus, hoping to catch him in one or other of them. Popular feeling was too strongly in his favour for his enemies to venture... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 22:15-22

Second attack: The question concerning the tribute to Caesar. ( Mark 12:13-17 ; Luke 20:20-26 .) read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 22:15-22

The question of tribute. I. THE TEMPTATION . 1 . The coalition. The Pharisees were greatly offended. They as well as the chief priests ( Matthew 21:45 ) perceived that these parables were spoken of them. Their conscience smote them; they felt in their hearts the truthfulness of the Saviour's words; they knew that his censure was just. But, instead of acknowledging their guilt, they blazed into wrath; instead of confessing their sin, they sought to destroy the great Teacher who... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 22:15-22

Tribute to Caesar. It is easy to see the trap that the Pharisees induced the Herodians to set for our Lord. If he refused to sanction the paying of tribute to Caesar, he could be accused of sedition against the Roman government; if he consented to sanction it, he could be held up to the Jews as unpatriotic, and therefore not fit to be thought of as the Messiah. His skilful answer set the question in its true light, and also lifted it into a higher region, and added what his tormentors could... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 22:15-22

The ethics of the tribute. The Pharisees had hitherto questioned our Lord on points of ecclesiastical ethics, and were invariably worsted. Now they face round and assail him with the weapon of political ethics. "Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?" Behold in the scene before us— I. THE WISDOM OF THE SERPENT IN ITS VENOM . 1 . It is seen in the question proposed. (a) The origin of the Roman power. (b) The manner in which that power had been used. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 22:15-33

Question of the Sadducees: "Whose shall she be?" The attempt of the Pharisees to ensnare our Lord in his talk was the result of a meeting called for the purpose of considering how they might silence a critic who was making himself too formidable. They do not see how he can answer their question without laying himself open to the accusation and hostility of one party or other in the state. But our Lord is neither blinded by their, false flattery nor staggered by their ensnaring question.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 22:16

Their disciples. Men of their own party, or students in the rabbinical schools, like Paul, "brought up at the feet of Gamaliel" and such like teachers. They sent these unknown and apparently simpleminded persons, that they themselves, who were open and bitter enemies of Christ, might not appear in the matter. With the Herodians. The two bodies hated one another, but made now an unholy alliance for the purpose of attacking Jesus. Hatred, like poverty, makes men acquainted with strange... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 22:17

Tell us therefore. Because you are so truthful and impartial, give us your unprejudiced opinion about the following much-disputed question. These people assume to be simple-minded inquirers, who came to Jesus to have a perplexity resolved. St. Luke gives their real character, "They sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words." Is it lawful ( ἐ ì ξεστι ) to give tribute ( κῆνσον , censure ) unto Caesar, or not? The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 22:18

Wickedness . The malice and hypocrisy which prompted the inquiry. Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? They were hypocrites because they falsely assumed the guise of conscientious men, who had no sinister motive, and desired merely to hear the decision of a much-esteemed Rabbi. Christ's words proved in a moment that he saw through them, understood the meaning of the temptation to which they had subjected him—how they were trying to involve him in a political difficulty, from which they deemed... read more

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