Matthieu 22:18

18 Mais Jésus, connaissant leur malice, répondit: Hypocrites, pourquoi me tentez-vous?

Matthieu 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.

Matthieu 22:18 In-Context

16 Et ils lui envoyèrent de leurs disciples, avec des hérodiens, qui lui dirent: Maître, nous savons que tu es sincère, et que tu enseignes la voie de Dieu selon la vérité, sans avoir égard à qui que ce soit; car tu ne regardes point à l'apparence des hommes.

17 Dis-nous donc ce qu'il te semble de ceci: Est-il permis de payer le tribut à César, ou non?

18 Mais Jésus, connaissant leur malice, répondit: Hypocrites, pourquoi me tentez-vous?

19 Montrez-moi la monnaie du tribut. Et ils lui présentèrent un denier.

20 Et il leur dit: De qui est cette image et cette inscription?