Bible Strands
Matthew 22:15
Then the Pharisees went out and conspired to trap Jesus in His words.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The Pharisees act immediately after Jesus concludes a parable about the kingdom. They depart to formulate a plot against Him before delegating the next phase of their opposition to their disciples and the Herodians.
The words — The Greek phrase συμβούλιον ἔλαβον (sumboulion elabon) literally means "they took counsel." This denotes the formal gathering of a strategy to entrap the teacher.
The thread — This coordinated opposition against the Anointed One echoes the rebellion described in Psalms 2:2. The same plot to catch Jesus in His words is recorded in Mark 12:13 and Luke 20:20.
Why it lands — The text states that religious authorities actively scheme to discredit a teacher rather than seek truth. It requires the reader to observe how opposition often masks itself as sincere inquiry.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.
Cross-references
- Luke 20:20 So they watched Him closely and sent spies who pretended to be sincere. They were hoping to catch Him in His words in order to hand Him over to the rule and authority of the governor.
- Mark 12:13 Later, they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to catch Jesus in His words.
- Psalms 2:2 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together, against the LORD and against His Anointed One:
- Psalms 56:5 All day long they twist my words; all their thoughts are on my demise.
- Psalms 59:3 See how they lie in wait for me. Fierce men conspire against me for no transgression or sin of my own, O LORD.
- Psalms 41:6 My visitor speaks falsehood; he gathers slander in his heart; he goes out and spreads it abroad.
- Psalms 57:6 They spread a net for my feet; my soul was despondent. They dug a pit before me, but they themselves have fallen into it! Selah
- Isaiah 29:21 those who indict a man with a word, who ensnare the mediator at the gate, and who with false charges deprive the innocent of justice.
- Jeremiah 18:18 Then some said, “Come, let us make plans against Jeremiah, for the law will never be lost to the priest, nor counsel to the wise, nor an oracle to the prophet. Come, let us denounce him and pay no heed to any of his words.”
- Jeremiah 20:10 For I have heard the whispering of many: “Terror is on every side! Report him; let us report him!” All my trusted friends watch for my fall: “Perhaps he will be deceived so that we may prevail against him and take our vengeance upon him.”