Matthew 22 · Verse 15

Matthew 22:15

Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.
Matthew 22:15, King James Version

Matthew 22:15 in other translations

BSBThen the Pharisees went out and conspired to trap Jesus in His words.
WEBThen the Pharisees went and took counsel how they might entrap him in his talk.
ASVThen went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might ensnare him in his talk.
YLTThen the Pharisees having gone, took counsel how they might ensnare him in words,
DARBYThen went the Pharisees and held a council how they might ensnare him in speaking.
BBEThen the Pharisees went and had a meeting to see how they might make use of his words to take him.
WebsterThen went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.

What does Matthew 22:15 mean?

Barnes' Notes
Verses 15-22. The Pharisees and Herodians endeavour to entangle Jesus; This narrative is also found in Mk 12:13-17; Lk 20:20-26.

Verse 15. Then went the Pharisees. Mt 3:7.

How they might entangle him. To entangle means to ensnare, as birds are taken by a net. This is done secretly, by leading them within the compass of the net, and then suddenly springing it over them. So to entangle is artfully to lay a plan for enticing, to beguile by proposing a question, and by leading, if possible, to am incautious answer. This was the kind proposed here to Jesus.

In his talk. The word his is supplied here by the translators, perhaps improperly. It means in conversation, or by talking with him; not alluding to anything he had before said.

(y) "Then went" Mk 12:13, Lk 20:20

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 15 In his talk - Εν λογῳ, by discourse: intending to ask him subtle and ensnaring questions; his answers to which might involve him either with the Roman government, or with the great Sanhedrin.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Matthew 22:15-22
The Pharisees sent their disciples with the Herodians, a party among the Jews, who were for full subjection to the Roman emperor. Though opposed to each other, they joined against Christ. What they said of Christ was right; whether they knew it or not, blessed be God we know it. Jesus Christ was a faithful Teacher, and a bold reprover. Christ saw their wickedness. Whatever mask the hypocrite puts on, our Lord Jesus sees through it. Christ did not interpose as a judge in matters of this nature, for his kingdom is not of this world, but he enjoins peaceable subjection to the powers that be. His adversaries were reproved, and his disciples were taught that the Christian religion is no enemy to civil government. Christ is, and will be, the wonder, not only of his friends, but of his enemies. They admire his wisdom, but will not be guided by it; his power, but will not submit to it.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Matthew 22:15 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΤότεToteThenG5119
πορευθέντεςporeuthenteshaving gone outG4198
οἱhoitheG3588
ΦαρισαῖοιPharisaioiPhariseesG5330
συμβούλιονsumboulioncounselG4824
ἔλαβονelabontookG2983
ὅπωςhopōshowG3704
αὐτὸνautonHimG846
παγιδεύσωσινpagideusōsinthey may trapG3802
ἐνeninG1722
λόγῳ.logōHis words.G3056

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Matthew 22:15

  • Luke 20:20-26

    And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor. And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly: Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Cesar, or no? But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me? …

  • Mark 12:13-17

    And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words. And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Cesar, or not? Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it. And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Cesar’s. …

  • Psalms 2:2

    The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying,

  • Psalms 56:5-7

    Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil. They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul. Shall they escape by iniquity? in thine anger cast down the people, O God.

  • Psalms 59:3

    For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against me; not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O Lord.

  • Psalms 41:6

    And if he come to see me, he speaketh vanity: his heart gathereth iniquity to itself; when he goeth abroad, he telleth it.

  • Jeremiah 18:18

    Then said they, Come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.

  • Isaiah 29:21

    That make a man an offender for a word, and lay a snare for him that reproveth in the gate, and turn aside the just for a thing of nought.

  • Luke 11:53-54

    And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things: Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him.

  • Jeremiah 20:10

    For I heard the defaming of many, fear on every side. Report, say they, and we will report it. All my familiars watched for my halting, saying, Peradventure he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him.

  • Hebrews 12:3

    For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

  • Psalms 57:6

    They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves. Selah.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
went.
Ps 2:2; Mr 12:13-17; Lu 20:20-26
how.
Ps 41:6; 56:5-7; 57:6; 59:3; Isa 29:21; Jer 18:18; 20:10; Lu 11:53,54
Heb 12:3

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Matthew 22:14

    For many are called, but few are chosen.

  • Matthew 22:15

    Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.

  • Matthew 22:16

    And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men.

Read all of Matthew 22

Matthew 22:15 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
Entonces, idos los Fariseos, consultaron cómo le tomarían en alguna palabra.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
Alors les pharisiens vinrent et tinrent conseil pour l’enlacer dans ses paroles.
German
Elberfelder 1871
Dann gingen die Pharisäer hin und hielten Rat, wie sie ihn in der Rede in eine Falle lockten.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate
Tunc abeuntes pharisæi, consilium inierunt ut caperent eum in sermone.