22:15 Then the Pharisees 1 went out and planned together to entrap him with his own words. 2 22:16 They sent to him their disciples along with the Herodians, 3 saying, “Teacher, we know that you are truthful, and teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. 4 You do not court anyone’s favor because you show no partiality. 5 22:17 Tell us then, what do you think? Is it right 6 to pay taxes 7 to Caesar 8 or not?”
22:18 But Jesus realized their evil intentions and said, “Hypocrites! Why are you testing me?
1 sn See the note on Pharisees in 3:7.
2 tn Grk “trap him in word.”
3 sn The Herodians are mentioned in the NT only once in Matt (22:16 = Mark 12:13) and twice in Mark (3:6; 12:13; some
4 sn Teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Very few comments are as deceitful as this one; they did not really believe this at all. The question of the Pharisees and Herodians was specifically designed to trap Jesus.
5 tn Grk “And it is not a concern to you about anyone because you do not see the face of men.”
6 tn Or “lawful,” that is, in accordance with God’s divine law. On the syntax of ἔξεστιν (exestin) with an infinitive and accusative, see BDF §409.3.
7 tn According to L&N 57.180 the term κῆνσος (khnso") was borrowed from Latin and referred to a poll tax, a tax paid by each adult male to the Roman government.
8 tn Or “to the emperor” (“Caesar” is a title for the Roman emperor).
9 tn Traditionally, “a lawyer.” This was an expert in the interpretation of the Mosaic law.
10 tn Grk “testing.” The participle, however, is telic in force.