Matthew 22:16

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 22:15-22

It was not the least grievous of the sufferings of Christ, that he endured the contradiction of sinners against himself, and had snares laid for him by those that sought how to take him off with some pretence. In these verses, we have him attacked by the Pharisees and Herodians with a question about paying tribute to Caesar. Observe, I. What the design was, which they proposed to themselves; They took counsel to entangle him in his talk. Hitherto, his encounters had been mostly with the chief... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 22:15-22

22:15-22 Then the Pharisees came, and tried to form a plan to ensnare him in his speech. So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians. "Teacher," they said, "we know that you are true, and that you teach the way of God in truth, and that you never allow yourself to be swayed by any man, for you are no respecter of persons. Tell us, then, your opinion--is it right to pay tribute to Caesar, or not?" Jesus was well aware of their malice. "Hypocrites," he said, "why do you try... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 22:16

And they sent out unto him their disciples ,.... Who were trained up in the same way of thinking with themselves, had imbibed the same tenets, and were strenuous defenders of them; and no doubt they selected the most crafty and artful among them; and who were the best versed in their principles and sophistic method of arguing: these they the rather sent, imagining they would not be known, as they themselves were: and from their age and air of simplicity, might be taken for innocent persons,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 22:16

The Herodians - For an account of this sect, see the note on Matthew 16:1 . The preceding parable had covered the Pharisees with confusion: when it was ended they went out, not to humble themselves before God, and deprecate the judgments with which they were threatened; but to plot afresh the destruction of their teacher. The depth of their malice appears, In their mode of attack. They had often questioned our Lord on matters concerning religion; and his answers only served to increase... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 22:16

Verse 16 16.Master, we know that thou art true. This is the righteousness which they counterfeit, when they offer humble subjection to Christ, as if they were desirous to learn, and as if they not only had some relish for piety, but also were fully convinced of his doctrine; for if what they said had been from the heart, this would have been true uprightness. And therefore from their words we may obtain a definition of a good and faithful teacher, such as they pretended to believe Christ to be.... 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

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