Matthew 22:15-18

Paying Taxes to Caesar

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?

Matthew 22:35

22:35 And one of them, an expert in religious law, ⁹  asked him a question to test ¹⁰  him:

[22:15]  ¹ sn See the note on Pharisees in 3:7.

[22:15]  ² tn Grk “trap him in word.”

[22:16]  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 mss also read “Herodians” instead of “Herod” in Mark 8:15). It is generally assumed that as a group the Herodians were Jewish supporters of the Herodian dynasty (or of Herod Antipas in particular). In every instance they are linked with the Pharisees. This probably reflects agreement regarding political objectives (nationalism as opposed to submission to the yoke of Roman oppression) rather than philosophy or religious beliefs.

[22:16]  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.

[22:16]  ⁵ tn Grk “And it is not a concern to you about anyone because you do not see the face of men.”

[22:17]  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.

[22:17]  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.

[22:17]  ⁸ tn Or “to the emperor” (“Caesar” is a title for the Roman emperor).

[22:35]  ⁹ tn Traditionally, “a lawyer.” This was an expert in the interpretation of the Mosaic law.

[22:35]  ¹⁰ tn Grk “testing.” The participle, however, is telic in force.