Matthew 22:16

They sent their disciples to Him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that You are honest and that You teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You seek favor from no one, because You pay no attention to external appearance.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The disciples of the Pharisees and the Herodians approach Jesus to ask a political-religious question about paying taxes to Caesar. They frame their inquiry with flattery, addressing Him as Teacher and claiming knowledge of His impartial truthfulness.

The words — The Greek ἀποστέλλουσιν (apostellousin) means they send, describing the coordinated dispatch of two distinct groups. Their opening address uses the term διδάσκαλε (didaskale), meaning Teacher, to establish a formal posture of inquiry.

The thread — This coordinated trap mirrors the earlier conspiracy in Mark 3:6 and anticipates the parallel tax question recorded in Mark 12:14. The alliance of Pharisees and Herodians also echoes Jesus’ warning in Mark 8:15 against their combined influence.

Why it lands — The text requires recognizing how flattery can mask hostile intent in spiritual discourse. It demands careful discernment between genuine inquiry and strategic entrapment before responding to loaded questions.

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

And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men.

Cross-references

Mark 3:6 At this, the Pharisees went out and began plotting with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.
Mark 8:15 “Watch out!” He cautioned them. “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod.”
Mark 12:14 “Teacher,” they said, “we know that You are honest and seek favor from no one. Indeed, You are impartial and teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay them or not?”
Luke 20:21 “Teacher,” they inquired, “we know that You speak and teach correctly. You show no partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.
Job 32:21 I will be partial to no one, nor will I flatter any man.
Jeremiah 9:3 “They bend their tongues like bows; lies prevail over truth in the land. For they proceed from evil to evil, and they do not take Me into account,” declares the LORD.
John 7:18 He who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory, but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is a man of truth; in Him there is no falsehood.
John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
John 18:37 “Then You are a king!” Pilate said. “You say that I am a king,” Jesus answered. “For this reason I was born and have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to My voice.”
1 John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true—in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.