Matthew 22:15 Meaning and Explanation
“Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The Pharisees withdraw and plot how to trap Jesus in His own words.
What Does Matthew 22:15 Mean?
Stung by three parables aimed at them, the Pharisees do not repent; they regroup. Their counsel is not how to answer Jesus but how to "entangle" Him -- the word pictures snaring a bird -- hoping a misstep in His talk will destroy Him.
So begins a series of trap questions -- taxes, resurrection, the great commandment -- each designed to ruin Jesus with someone: Rome, the crowds, or the scholars. The irony runs deep: they treat the Word made flesh as a man who can be caught in words. Hearts set against the light will study the light only to extinguish it; yet each trap becomes an occasion for truth.
Matthew 22:15 in the Original Language
pagideuo (παγιδεύω), 'entangle' -- to snare or trap, as a hunter snares a bird.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 22:15
What does Matthew 22:15 mean?
The Pharisees withdraw and plot how to trap Jesus in His own words.