Verse 46
This question silenced the public criticism of Jesus’ critics permanently. The confrontation had ended. His enemies could not escape the logical consistency of Jesus’ biblical arguments. Rather than submitting to His authority, as they should have (cf. Matthew 21:23), they plotted His destruction.
"Defeated in debate, the leaders withdraw from Jesus in the temple, just as Satan, also defeated by Jesus in debate, had earlier withdrawn from him (Matthew 4:11)." [Note: Kingsbury, Matthew as . . ., p. 7.]
Matthew 22:46 finishes off this entire sub-section of the Gospel (Matthew 21:23 to Matthew 22:46). Israel had rejected her King. Jesus had predicted this rejection (Matthew 21:18-22). It resulted from the series of confrontations with Israel’s leaders that happened on a single Wednesday in the temple courtyard. Now the King would formally reject the nation, but not permanently in view of the promises to the patriarchs.
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