Mat 22:15-22 | RWP | e4.org | Went ( πορευθεντες ). So-called deponent passive and redundant use of the verb as in : "Go and learn." Took counsel ( συμβουλιον ελαβον ). Like the Latin consilium capere as in . Ensnare in his talk ( παγιδευσωσιν εν λογω ). From παγις , a snare or trap. Here only in the N.T. In the LXX ( ; ; Test. of Twelve Patriarchs, Joseph 7:1). Vivid picture of the effort to trip Jesus in his speech like a bird or wild beast.

‏ Matthew 22:15-22

Went ( πορευθεντες ). So-called deponent passive and redundant use of the verb as in 9:13: "Go and learn."

Took counsel ( συμβουλιον ελαβον ). Like the Latin consilium capere as in 12:14.

Ensnare in his talk ( παγιδευσωσιν εν λογω ). From παγις, a snare or trap. Here only in the N.T. In the LXX (1Ki 28:9; Ec 9:12; Test. of Twelve Patriarchs, Joseph 7:1). Vivid picture of the effort to trip Jesus in his speech like a bird or wild beast.

Their disciples ( τους μαθητας αυτων ). Students, pupils, of the Pharisees as in Mr 2:18. There were two Pharisaic theological seminaries in Jerusalem (Hillel, Shammai).

The Herodians ( των Hερωιδιανων ). Not members of Herod's family or Herod's soldiers, but partisans or followers of Herod. The form in -ιανος is a Latin termination like that in Χριστιανος (Ac 11:26). Mentioned also in Mr 3:6 combining with the Pharisees against Jesus.

The person of men ( προσωπον ανθρωπων ). Literally, face of men. Paying regard to appearance is the sin of partiality condemned by James (Jas 2:1, 9) when προσωπολημψια, προσωπολημπτειν are used, in imitation of the Hebrew idiom. This suave flattery to Jesus implied "that Jesus was a reckless simpleton" (Bruce).

Tribute money ( το νομισμα του κηνσου ). Κηνσος, Latin census, was a capitation tax or head-money, tributum capitis, for which silver denaria were struck, with the figure of Caesar and a superscription, e.g. "Tiberiou Kaisaros" (McNeile). Νομισμα is the Latin numisma and occurs here only in the N.T., is common in the old Greek, from νομιζω sanctioned by law or custom.

This image and superscription ( η εικων αυτη κα η επιγραφη ). Probably a Roman coin because of the image (picture) on it. The earlier Herods avoided this practice because of Jewish prejudice, but the Tetrarch Philip introduced it on Jewish coins and he was followed by Herod Agrippa I. This coin was pretty certainly stamped in Rome with the image and name of Tiberius Caesar on it.

Render ( αποδοτε ). "Give back" to Caesar what is already Caesar's.