Matthew 22:18

“But Jesus perceived their wickedness, etc.] Luke says, “their craftiness”; and Mark says, “knowing their hypocrisy”; for there was, a mixture of malice, hypocrisy, and artfulness, in the scheme they had formed; but Christ being the omniscient God, saw the wickedness of their hearts, knew their hypocritical designs, and was well acquainted with all their artifice: he judged not according to the outward appearance of their affection for him, and opinion of him, of religion, righteousness, and holiness in themselves, and of a sincere desire to have their conscience satisfied about this matter; the snare they laid was visible to him, the mask they put on could not screen them from him, nor…”

“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…”

“Ye hypocrites - Pretending a scruple of conscience. Matthew 22:20”

“22:18 You hypocrites! See study note on 23:13.”

“perceived: Mar 2:8; Luk 5:22, Luk 9:47, Luk 20:23; Joh 2:25; Rev 2:23 Why: Mat 16:1-4, Mat 19:3; Mar 12:5; Luk 10:25; Joh 8:6; Act 5:9 Matthew 22:19”