The Pulpit Commentary on Matthew 22:18

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

Wickedness. The malice and hypocrisy which prompted the inquiry. Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? They were hypocrites because they falsely assumed the guise of conscientious men, who had no sinister motive, and desired merely to hear the decision of a much-esteemed Rabbi.

Christ's words proved in a moment that he saw through them, understood the meaning of the temptation to which they had subjected him—how they were trying to involve him in a political difficulty, from which they deemed no escape was possible.

The character which they had fiatteringly. given to Jesus (Matthew 22:16) he here fully responds to.

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