Mat 22:15-22 | Family

Matthew 22:15-22

Herodians; they held that it was lawful to pay tribute to Cesar, or to the Romans, who had conquered and governed Judea. The Pharisees held that it was not, but was contrary to the divine law. De 17:15. Wicked men for evil purposes sometimes make great professions of respect to preachers of the gospel, and pretend to have an earnest desire to know the truth; yet when the truth is exhibited, as revealed by God, they reject it; thus showing that their real character was not that of sincere inquirers, but of objectors and hypocrites. Tell us; settle the question so much disputed among us.

Is it lawful to give tribute unto Cesar, or not? if he should say it was not lawful, they meant to accuse him to the civil authority as an enemy to the Romans; if he should say it was lawful, they meant to accuse him to the people as opposed to the law of God. Perceived; he saw their hearts, their motives, as plainly as he did their faces. Tribute-money; the Roman coin in which the civil taxes were paid. Cesar's; this showed that as they were under his government, and enjoyed its protection, they ought to assist in supporting it; while, at the same time, they ought to obey God. Marvelled; they were astonished at his wisdom in escaping their snare. Neither could accuse him, for he had maintained the rights of the government and the rights of God.