Matthew 22:18

18 But [because he] knew their maliciousness, Jesus said, "Hypocrites! Why are you testing me?

Matthew 22:18 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 22:18

But Jesus perceived their wickedness
Luke says, "their craftiness"; and Mark says, "knowing their hypocrisy"; for there was, a mixture of malice, hypocrisy, and artfulness, in the scheme they had formed; but Christ being the omniscient God, saw the wickedness of their hearts, knew their hypocritical designs, and was well acquainted with all their artifice: he judged not according to the outward appearance of their affection for him, and opinion of him, of religion, righteousness, and holiness in themselves, and of a sincere desire to have their conscience satisfied about this matter; the snare they laid was visible to him, the mask they put on could not screen them from him, nor impose upon him:

and said, why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?
as he might well call them, who feigned themselves just persons, pretended a great deal of respect for him, call him master, compliment him with the characters of a faithful, sincere, and disinterested preacher; yet by putting the above question, designed no other than to ensnare him, and bring him into disgrace or trouble.

Matthew 22:18 In-Context

16 And they sent their disciples to him with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are truthful and teach the way of God in truth, and {you do not care what anyone thinks}, {because you do not regard the opinion of people}.

17 Therefore tell us what you think. Is it permitted to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"

18 But [because he] knew their maliciousness, Jesus said, "Hypocrites! Why are you testing me?

19 Show me the coin for the tax!" So they brought him a denarius.

20 And he said to them, "Whose image and inscription [is] this?"

Footnotes

• [a] *Here "[because]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("knew") which is understood as causal