Matthew 22 · Verse 18

Matthew 22:18

But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?
Matthew 22:18, King James Version

Matthew 22:18 in other translations

BSBBut Jesus knew their evil intent and said, “You hypocrites, why are you testing Me?
WEBBut Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test me, you hypocrites?
ASVBut Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why make ye trial of me, ye hypocrites?
YLTAnd Jesus having known their wickedness, said, ‘Why me do ye tempt, hypocrites?
DARBYBut Jesus, knowing their wickedness, said, Why tempt ye me, hypocrites?
BBEBut Jesus saw their trick and said, Oh false ones, why are you attempting to put me in the wrong?
WebsterBut Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?

What does Matthew 22:18 mean?

Barnes' Notes
Verse 18. Jesus perceived their wickedness. This must have been done by his power of searching the heart, and proves that he was omniscient. No mere man has the power of discerning the motives of others.

Tempt ye me. Try me, or endeavour to lead me into difficulty by an insidious question.

Hypocrites. Dissemblers. Professing to be candid inquirers, when their only object is to lead into difficulty. Mt 6:2.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · 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…

Read the full comment on Matthew 22:15-22 →

Matthew 22:18 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.

ΓνοὺςGnousHaving knownG1097
δὲdehoweverG1161
ὁho<the>G3588
ἸησοῦςIēsousJesusG2424
τὴνtēntheG3588
πονηρίανponērianmaliceG4189
αὐτῶνautōnof themG846
εἶπεν·eipenHe said;G2036
τίtiWhyG5101
μεmeMeG3165
πειράζετε,peirazetedo you test,G3985
ὑποκριταί;hupokritaihypocrites?G5273

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

Cross references for Matthew 22:18

  • John 8:6

    This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.

  • Luke 5:22

    But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts?

  • John 2:25

    And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.

  • Acts 5:9

    Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.

  • Revelation 2:23

    And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

  • Luke 10:25

    And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

  • Luke 20:23

    But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me?

  • Mark 12:5

    And again he sent another; and him they killed, and many others; beating some, and killing some.

  • Mark 2:8

    And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?

  • Luke 9:47

    And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him,

  • Matthew 16:1-4

    The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven. He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.

  • Matthew 19:3

    The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
perceived.
Mr 2:8; Lu 5:22; 9:47; 20:23; Joh 2:25; Re 2:23
Why.
16:1-4; 19:3; Mr 12:5; Lu 10:25; Joh 8:6; Ac 5:9

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

Context

  • Matthew 22:17

    Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Cesar, or not?

  • Matthew 22:18

    But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?

  • Matthew 22:19

    Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.

Read all of Matthew 22

Matthew 22:18 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Mas Jesús, entendida la malicia de ellos, les dice: ¿Por qué me tentáis, hipócritas?
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et Jésus, connaissant leur méchanceté, dit: Pourquoi me tentez-vous, hypocrites?
German
Elberfelder 1871		Jesus aber, ihre Bosheit erkennend, sprach: Was versuchet ihr mich, Heuchler?
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Cognita autem Jesus nequitia eorum, ait: Quid me tentatis, hypocritæ?