Matthew 22 15

Matthew 22:15

ESV: Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his words.

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

NIV: Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words.

NKJV: Then the Pharisees went and plotted how they might entangle Him in His talk.

NLT: Then the Pharisees met together to plot how to trap Jesus into saying something for which he could be arrested.

Meaning

Matthew 22:15 describes a deliberate and malicious conspiracy by the Pharisees to ensnare Jesus with a deceptive question. They sought to entrap Him in His words, hoping to provoke a response that could be used as an accusation against Him, either to incriminate Him legally before Roman authorities or theologically before the Jewish people. This plotting reveals their profound opposition and deep-seated animosity toward Jesus.

Cross References

Context

This verse is situated during Passion Week, just days before Jesus' crucifixion, as He teaches in the Temple precincts in Jerusalem. Matthew 22 follows Jesus' recent public condemnations of the Jewish leadership through parables, particularly the Parable of the Two Sons (Mt 21:28-32), the Parable of the Wicked Tenants (Mt 21:33-46), and the Parable of the Wedding Feast (Mt 22:1-14). These parables directly challenged the authority of the chief priests and Pharisees, implying God's judgment upon them and the transfer of His kingdom to others. The religious leaders understood these parables were spoken against them (Mt 21:45), intensifying their desire to seize Jesus. Matthew 22:15 thus marks their tactical response, shifting from direct confrontation to a cunning, conspiratorial attempt to discredit or incriminate Him through His own words. Their intention was to use the state (Rome) or the Law to silence Jesus.

Word analysis

• Then went (Τότε πορευθέντες, Tote poreuthentes):

  • Then (Τότε, Tote): A strong temporal adverb, indicating an immediate sequential action. It links directly to the preceding parables and their understanding that Jesus was speaking against them.
  • went (πορευθέντες, poreuthentes): An aorist participle, conveying completed action, emphasizing their swift, deliberate movement. They didn't merely think about it, they acted to achieve their goal.

• the Pharisees (οἱ Φαρισαῖοι, hoi Pharisaios):

  • A prominent Jewish religious-political sect, known for their strict adherence to the Mosaic Law and oral traditions. They held significant influence among the common people.
  • Historically, they often opposed Jesus, viewing Him as undermining their authority and interpretations of the Law. Their piety was often critiqued by Jesus as hypocrisy.

• and took counsel (συμβούλιον ἔλαβον, symboulion elabon):

  • took counsel (ἔλαβον συμβούλιον, elabon symboulion): This phrase implies a formal meeting and a deliberate, concerted effort to devise a strategy. It denotes a planned conspiracy or plot, rather than spontaneous individual action.
  • counsel (συμβούλιον, symboulion): A pre-meditated decision, often implying a consultation among a group with a shared agenda, in this case, malicious.

• how they might entangle him (ὅπως αὐτὸν παγιδεύσωσιν, hopos auton pagideusosin):

  • how (ὅπως, hopos): Introduces the purpose or method of their counsel.
  • entangle him (αὐτὸν παγιδεύσωσιν, auton pagideusosin): The Greek verb παγιδεύσωσιν (pagideuo) means "to ensnare, trap, catch in a snare." It carries the connotation of setting a hidden trap for an animal or bird, implying deceit, malice, and a desire for capture and destruction. This is not about seeking truth or clarity, but about manipulating circumstances to ensure His downfall, regardless of the truth.

• in his talk (ἐν λόγῳ, en logō):

  • in his talk (ἐν λόγῳ, en logō): Lit. "in word" or "by means of word." Their target was Jesus' speech. They sought to force Him to say something that could be construed as either blasphemy against God, opposition to Roman rule, or transgression of Jewish law/tradition, thereby providing grounds for arrest or public discrediting. This highlights their fear of His verbal wisdom and their intent to turn it against Him.

Commentary

Matthew 22:15 sets the stage for a critical confrontation between Jesus and His most vocal adversaries. Having been directly rebuked by Jesus' parables, the Pharisees—representing established religious authority—resorted to a treacherous scheme. Their "counsel" was not a search for truth, but a calculated effort to construct a verbal trap. The choice of παγιδεύσωσιν (entangle) powerfully illustrates their malevolent intent: they sought to immobilize, corner, and ultimately destroy Jesus by forcing Him into a no-win situation through His own words. This action epitomizes the spiritual blindness of those who rejected Jesus; rather than examining their own hearts in light of His teachings, they doubled down on their animosity. This moment highlights Jesus' profound wisdom as He consistently exposes the hidden motives of His challengers.

Bonus section

This strategic move by the Pharisees underscores their desperation to maintain their power and influence against Jesus' growing popularity and condemning teachings. It also exemplifies the long-standing biblical theme of the righteous being ensnared by the wicked (Ps 64:5; 140:5; Jer 18:22), and conversely, the wicked falling into their own pits (Prov 26:27). Their focus on trapping Jesus "in His talk" demonstrates their belief that Jesus' powerful and persuasive words were both His greatest asset and potentially His greatest vulnerability. Ultimately, their meticulously crafted trap would prove ineffective, revealing Jesus' divine wisdom that transcended all human cunning. This incident foreshadows the greater schemes leading to His passion and crucifixion, where words and accusations would be central to the trial.

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