Matthew 17:27

17:27 But so that we don’t offend them, go to the lake and throw out a hook. Take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth, you will find a four drachma coin. 1  Take that and give it to them for me and you.”

Matthew 22:16

22:16 They sent to him their disciples along with the Herodians, 2  saying, “Teacher, we know that you are truthful, and teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. 3  You do not court anyone’s favor because you show no partiality. 4 

Matthew 23:37

Judgment on Israel

23:37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 5  you who kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to you! 6  How often I have longed 7  to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but 8  you would have none of it! 9 

1 sn The four drachma coin was a stater (στατήρ, stathr), a silver coin worth four drachmas. One drachma was equivalent to one denarius, the standard pay for a day’s labor (L&N 6.80).

2 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.

3 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.

4 tn Grk “And it is not a concern to you about anyone because you do not see the face of men.”

5 sn The double use of the city’s name betrays intense emotion.

map For location see Map5-B1; Map6-F3; Map7-E2; Map8-F2; Map10-B3; JP1-F4; JP2-F4; JP3-F4; JP4-F4.

6 tn Although the opening address (“Jerusalem, Jerusalem”) is direct (second person), the remainder of this sentence in the Greek text is third person (“who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her”). The following sentences then revert to second person (“your… you”), so to keep all this consistent in English, the third person pronouns in the present verse were translated as second person (“you who kill… sent to you”).

7 sn How often I have longed to gather your children. Jesus, like a lamenting prophet, speaks for God here, who longed to care tenderly for Israel and protect her.

8 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.

9 tn Grk “you were not willing.”