Matthew 22:21 NIV

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 22:21

They say unto him, Caesar's ,.... Either Augustus Caesar's; for there was a coin of that emperor's, as Dr. Hammond reports, from Occo, which had his image or picture on it, and in it these words written, Augustus Caesar, such a year, "after the taking of Judaea"; which if this was the coin, was a standing testimony of the subjection of the Jews to the Romans; and this being current with them, was an acknowledgment of it by them, and carried in it an argument of their obligation to pay... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 22:21

They say unto him, Caesars - The image was the head of the emperor; the superscription, his titles. Julius Caesar was the first who caused his image to be struck on the Roman coin. Tiberius was emperor at this time. Render therefore unto Caesar - The conclusion is drawn from their own premises. You acknowledge this to be Caesar's coin; this coin is current, in your land; the currency of this coin shows the country to be under the Roman government; and your acknowledgment that it is... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 22:21

Verse 21 21.Render therefore to Caesar those things which are Caesar’s. Christ reminds them that, as the subjection of their nation was attested by the coin, there ought to be no debate on that subject; as if he had said, “If you think it strange to pay tribute, be not subjects of the Roman Empire. But the money (which men employ as the pledge of mutual exchanges) attests that Caesar rules over you; so that, by your own silent consent, the liberty to which you lay claim is lost and gone.”... 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

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 22:21

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 22:21

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 22:21

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 22:15-22

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 22:15-22

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 22:15-22

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 22:15-22

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 22:15-33

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