Matthew once again identifies the Pharisees as the most hostile of Jesus’ opponents. According to Mark, it was “one of the scribes” who approached Jesus, and it is not necessary to assume that he was a member of the Pharisaic party. Moreover, in Mark the man presents his question to Jesus because he is impressed with Jesus’ reply to the Sadducees (12.28). Matthew specifically states that the purpose of the question is “to test” Jesus (verse 35).

The But at the beginning of this verse can be seen to contrast the reaction of the Pharisees to how Jesus had dealt with the Sadducees with the reaction of the crowd in verse 33. However, since most translators do have the section heading at the beginning of the verse, it is often more natural to drop But and start with “When” (Good News Translation).

Pharisees and Sadducees were discussed at 3.7.

Had silenced translates the same verb used in verse 12; it occurs nowhere else in Matthew’s Gospel. In this verse it may best be rendered as “had answered the Sadducees in such a way they could not say anything” or “had made the Sadducees stop asking him questions.”

Together translates a construction used several times in Luke’s writings (Luke 17.35; Acts 1.15; 2.1, 44; 4.26); it also occurs in 1 Corinthians 11.20; 14.23. It may mean either “at the same place” (Acts 2.1) or “together” (so most translations), a usage well attested by the papyri. Some translators have said “they met together,” but the idea is really more that they went to Jesus in a group. Thus “met and went together to Jesus” or “went to Jesus in a group” is better. Of course, translators will use either “came” or “went,” depending on the receptor language.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1988. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .