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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Matthew 22:15 - 22:22
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Mat_22:15-22
15Then the Pharisees went and plotted together how they might trap Him in what He said. 16And they sent their disciples to Him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that You are truthful and teach the way of God in truth, and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any. 17Tell us then, what do You think? Is it lawful to give a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?" 18But Jesus perceived their malice, and said, "Why are you testing Me, you hypocrites? 19Show Me the coin used for the poll-tax." And they brought Him a denarius. 20And He said to them, "Whose likeness and inscription is this?" 21They said to Him, "Caesar's." Then He said to them, "Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's." 22And hearing this, they were amazed, and leaving Him, they went away.
Mat_22:15 "Pharisees" See Special Topic below.
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▣ "plotted together" This term is used by Matthew to document the numerous times and ways that the religious leaders gathered together to plan to thwart Jesus' ministry (cf. Mat_12:14; Mat_22:15; Mat_26:4; Mat_27:1; Mat_27:7; Mat_28:12).
In this instance Pharisees even consulted with Herodians to trick Jesus. They hated each other, but they both felt threatened by Jesus and His teachings. Hate makes strange "bedfellows"!
Mat_22:16 "Herodians" See Special Topic at Mat_2:1.
▣ "Teacher" This group of religious leaders is trying to flatter Jesus in order to trick Him (cf. Mat_22:15). Notice how they characterize Him.
1. we know You are truthful
2. we know You teach the way of God in truth
3. we know You defer to no one
4. we know You are not partial to any (lit. "do not lift the face")
If these Pharisees and Herodians really believed these statements, why did they reject His teachings?
Mat_22:17 "Is it lawful" This meant according to the oral traditions which interpreted the Mosaic Law (i.e., "traditions of the elders," Mat_15:2). Jesus changed the question from an "either/or" to a "both/and" (cf. Mat_22:21).
▣ "poll-tax" This was a Roman tax that went directly to the Emperor. It was levied on every male 14-65 years old and every female 12-65 years old who lived in the imperial provinces.
Mat_22:18 "testing" This Greek term had the connotation of "to test with a view toward destruction." See Special Topic at Mat_4:1. These Jewish leaders knew that the Jewish population was not in support of this tax. If Jesus answered one way He would be in trouble with the Roman authorities; if the other, the Jewish population.
▣ "hypocrites" This compound term meant "to judge under" (cf. Mat_6:2; Mat_6:5; Mat_6:16; Mat_7:5; Mat_15:7; Mat_16:3; Mat_23:13; Mat_23:15; Mat_23:25-27; Mat_23:29; Mat_24:51). It referred to people who acted one way while truly living or feeling another.
Mat_22:19 "Show Me the coin used for the poll-tax" This coin was a "denarius." It was a day's wage for soldiers and laborers. On the front was a picture of Tiberius with the saying, "Tiberius Caesar Augustus, son of the Divine Augustus." On the back was a picture of Tiberius seated on a throne and an inscription, "Highest Priest." Tiberius ruled the Roman Empire from a.d. 14-37. Coinage was a symbol of who was in governmental control. See Special Topic: Coins in Use in Palestine in Jesus' Day at Mat_17:24.
Mat_22:21 "Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's" The Bible is clear that believers are to pray for and support the governmental authority they live under regardless of its form unless it usurps the place of God in the life of the believer (cf. Rom_13:1 ff.; Tit_3:1; 1Pe_2:13). Jesus changed the word "pay" of Mat_22:17 to "pay back."
▣ "and to God the things that are God's" The government, although ordained by God, cannot demand allegiance as a divine power. Believers must reject all ultimate claims of authority, for God alone is the ultimate authority. We must be careful of basing our modern political theory of separation of church and state on this passage. The Bible does not clearly speak on this issue, but western history does!
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought provoking, not definitive.
1. Can you list and define all the religious and political groups within Judaism of Jesus' day mentioned in the NT?
2. Why were these groups trying to trick Jesus?
3. What is the implication of Jesus' statement in Mat_22:21 for our day?