Section 22:15–22 Jesus answered a question about paying taxes
In this section, the Pharisees tried to trap Jesus into saying something that would cause him trouble. They did this by asking him whether the Jews should pay taxes to Rome. If Jesus said that the Jews should pay the taxes, he would lose popularity with the people. If he said they should not pay the taxes, he would be in danger from the Romans. However, Jesus was able to answer the Pharisees’ question without falling into their trap.
Here are some other possible headings for this section:
Should the Jews pay Roman taxes or not?
-or-
An attempt to trap Jesus in regard to paying taxes
There are parallel passages for this passage in Mark 12:13–17 and Luke 20:20–26.
Paragraph 22:15–17
22:15a
Then: This conjunction introduces the next event that happened. Here is another way to translate this word:
After that
the Pharisees went: The preceding events had taken place inside the temple courtyard. So it is probable that the Pharisees left that area to plot together.
Here are some other ways to translate this clause:
The Pharisees went out (NET Bible)
-or-
The Pharisees left that place (New Century Version)
Pharisees: This is the same group mentioned in 21:45. Translate it the same way here.
22:15b
and plotted: The Greek phrase that the English Standard Version translates as plotted is more literally “took counsel.” It means that they talked together and came up with a plan.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
and planned together (NET Bible)
-or-
discussed (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
This same phrase is in 12:14. There the English Standard Version translates it as “conspired.”
how to entangle him: The Greek verb that the English Standard Version translates as to entangle means to set a trap like one used to catch small animals or birds. The pronoun him refers to Jesus. Since this is the beginning of a new section you might use his name here. Here is another way to translate this phrase:
to trap Jesus (Good News Translation)
in his words: This phrase is more literally translated “in word.” It means that the Pharisees hoped to get Jesus to say something that would cause him trouble, either with the crowd or with the Romans.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
into saying something wrong (God’s Word)
-or-
with his own words (NET Bible)
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