Matthew 22:18 Meaning and Explanation
“But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jesus sees through the flattery to the malice beneath and names it.
What Does Matthew 22:18 Mean?
The buttery introduction fools no one. Jesus "perceived their wickedness" -- He reads motive, not just words -- and answers their compliment with a question of His own: "Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?"
The word hypocrite comes from the stage: an actor playing a part. Their reverent-student costume conceals hunters. Before the Lord the performance falls flat, for "all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do" (Hebrews 4:13). It is a mercy as well as a warning that Christ deals with what we are, not with what we perform.
Matthew 22:18 in the Original Language
hypokrites (ὑποκριτής), 'hypocrites' -- stage actors; those playing a part not their own.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 22:18
What does Matthew 22:18 mean?
Jesus sees through the flattery to the malice beneath and names it.