Matthew 22:16

“And they sent out unto him their disciples, etc.] Who were trained up in the same way of thinking with themselves, had imbibed the same tenets, and were strenuous defenders of them; and no doubt they selected the most crafty and artful among them; and who were the best versed in their principles and sophistic method of arguing: these they the rather sent, imagining they would not be known, as they themselves were: and from their age and air of simplicity, might be taken for innocent persons, who in great sincerity, came to be instructed by him, with the Herodians: learned men are very much divided in their sentiments about these men; some think they were Gentiles under the government of…”

“The Pharisees and Herodians endeavor to entangle Jesus - This narrative is also found in Mark 12:12-17; Luke 20:20-26. Matthew 22:15 Then went the Pharisees - See the notes at Matthew 3:7. How they might entangle him - To entangle means to “ensnare,” as birds are taken by a net. This is done secretly, by leading them within the compass of the net and then suddenly springing it over them. So to entangle is artfully to lay a plan for enticing; to beguile by proposing a question, and by leading, if possible, to an incautious answer. This was what the Pharisees and Herodians endeavored to do in regard to Jesus. In his talk - The word “his” is supplied by the translators, perhaps improperly. It…”

“The Herodians were a set of men peculiarly attached to Herod, and consequently zealous for the interest of the Roman government, which was the main support of the dignity and royalty of his family. Thou regardest not the person of men - Thou favourest no man for his riches or greatness. Matthew 22:17”

“22:16 The Pharisees, strict nationalists who resented Roman rule, were normally at odds with the supporters of Herod. Here, the unlikely alliance arose from a mutual hatred of Jesus.”

“they sent: The profound malice of the Pharisees appears here in their choice of companions, their affected praise, and the artful and difficult questions they proposed. the Herodians: Mat 16:11, Mat 16:12; Mar 3:6, Mar 8:15 Master: Mat 22:24, Mat 22:26, Mat 26:18, Mat 26:49; Mar 10:17; Luk 7:40 we know: Psa 5:9, Psa 12:2, Psa 55:21; Pro 29:5; Isa 59:13-15; Jer 9:3-5; Eze 33:30, Eze 33:31 true: Mal 2:6; Joh 7:18, Joh 14:6, Joh 18:37; Co2 2:17, Co2 4:2; Jo1 5:20 neither: Deu 33:9; Kg1 22:14; Job 32:21, Job 32:22; Mic 3:9-12; Mal 2:9; Mar 12:14; Luk 20:21; Co2 5:16; Gal 1:10, Gal 2:6; Th1 2:4; Jam 3:17 Matthew 22:17”