15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted together how they might trap Him in what He said . 16 And they sent their disciples to Him, along with the Herodians , saying , "Teacher , we know that You are truthful and teach the way of God in truth , and defer to no one ; for You are not partial e to any . 17 "Tell us then , what do You think ? Is it lawful to give a poll-tax to Caesar , or not?" 18 But Jesus perceived their malice , and said , "Why are you testing Me, you hypocrites ? 19 "Show Me the coin used for the poll-tax ." And they brought Him a denarius . 20 And He said to them, "Whose likeness and inscription is this ?" 21 They said to Him, "Caesar's ." Then He said to them, " Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's ; and to God the things that are God's ." 22 And hearing this, they were amazed , and leaving Him, they went away .
23 On that day some Sadducees (who say there is no resurrection ) came to Jesus and questioned Him, 24 asking , "Teacher , Moses said , ' IF A MAN DIES HAVING NO CHILDREN , HIS BROTHER AS NEXT OF KIN SHALL MARRY HIS WIFE , AND RAISE UP CHILDREN FOR HIS BROTHER .' 25 "Now there were seven brothers with us; and the first married and died , and having no children left his wife to his brother ; 26 so also the second , and the third , down to the seventh . 27 "Last of all , the woman died . 28 "In the resurrection , therefore , whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all had married her." 29 But Jesus answered and said to them, "You are mistaken , not understanding the Scriptures nor the power of God . 30 "For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage , but are like angels in heaven . 31 "But regarding the resurrection of the dead , have you not read what was spoken to you by God : 32 ' I AM THE GOD OF ABRAHAM , AND THE GOD OF ISAAC , AND THE GOD OF JACOB '? He is not the God of the dead but of the living ." 33 When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at His teaching .
34 But when the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees , they gathered themselves together e e . 35 One of them, a lawyer , asked Him a question, testing Him, 36 "Teacher , which is the great commandment in the Law ?" 37 And He said to him, " ' YOU SHALL LOVE THE Lord YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART , AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL , AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND .' 38 "This is the great and foremost commandment . 39 "The second is like it, ' YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF .' 40 " On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Matthew 22:15-40
Commentary on Matthew 22:15-22
(Read 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.
Commentary on Matthew 22:23-33
(Read Matthew 22:23-33)
The doctrines of Christ displeased the infidel Sadducees, as well as the Pharisees and Herodians. He carried the great truths of the resurrection and a future state, further than they had yet been reveled. There is no arguing from the state of things in this world, as to what will take place hereafter. Let truth be set in a clear light, and it appears in full strength. Having thus silenced them, our Lord proceeded to show the truth of the doctrine of the resurrection from the books of Moses. God declared to Moses that he was the God of the patriarchs, who had died long before; this shows that they were then in a state of being, capable of enjoying his favour, and proves that the doctrine of the resurrection is clearly taught in the Old Testament as well as in the New. But this doctrine was kept for a more full revelation, after the resurrection of Christ, who was the first-fruits of them that slept. All errors arise from not knowing the Scriptures and the power of God. In this world death takes away one after another, and so ends all earthly hopes, joys, sorrows, and connexions. How wretched are those who look for nothing better beyond the grave!
Commentary on Matthew 22:34-40
(Read Matthew 22:34-40)
An interpreter of the law asked our Lord a question, to try, not so much his knowledge, as his judgment. The love of God is the first and great commandment, and the sum of all the commands of the first table. Our love of God must be sincere, not in word and tongue only. All our love is too little to bestow upon him, therefore all the powers of the soul must be engaged for him, and carried out toward him. To love our neighbour as ourselves, is the second great commandment. There is a self-love which is corrupt, and the root of the greatest sins, and it must be put off and mortified; but there is a self-love which is the rule of the greatest duty: we must have a due concern for the welfare of our own souls and bodies. And we must love our neighbour as truly and sincerely as we love ourselves; in many cases we must deny ourselves for the good of others. By these two commandments let our hearts be formed as by a mould.