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.
sn This question concerning taxes was specifically designed to trap Jesus. If he answered yes, then his opponents could publicly discredit him as a sympathizer with Rome. If he answered no, then they could go to the Roman governor and accuse Jesus of rebellion.
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.