Matthew 22

This section focuses on how Jewish leaders challenged the authority of Jesus. Each time, the wisdom of Jesus revealed their lack of spiritual understanding. These debates also revealed the status of Jesus as the Messiah and the consequences of rejecting him. Sadly, the leaders became more resistant with each encounter and plotted to kill Jesus (Matthew 21:23, 46; 22:15–17, 23, 34, 41).

Three parables expose the guilt of those who rejected the Messiah and lost their special status as God's chosen people. God now considers only those who accept Jesus as the Messiah as his people.

In this parable, Israel had often rejected God’s message in the past. In the same way, Israel rejected the Messiah and faced judgment. In Israel’s place, God raised up the church (Matthew 16:17–19; 21:43). God also expects the church to live in righteousness (Romans 11:11–24).

• The king represents God, and his son is Jesus (Galatians 4:4; Hebrews 1:1–2).

• The feast represents the kingdom of the Messiah.

those he had invited: This refers to the nation of Israel. They ignored God's servants, the prophets (see study note on Matthew 21:33–46).

Jesus was referring to the future destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 (see Matthew 23:37–39; 24:2).

People who refuse God's invitation do not deserve to enter his kingdom (see Matthew 3:8; 10:13, 37–38).

as many as you can find: God's invitation is now open to all people, not only the nation of Israel (see Matthew 28:16–20; compare 10:5–6; 15:21–28).

both evil and good: See Matthew 13:24–50.

Wearing the right clothes symbolizes spiritual qualities that show true faith (see Matthew 7:13–27).

• weeping and gnashing of teeth: This phrase describes the intense pain and sorrow that come from being condemned for sin and unbelief (see Matthew 8:12; 13:42, 50; 24:51; 25:30).

• outer darkness: This is a picture of eternal punishment, shown as being far from God’s presence.

Many people receive an invitation to the kingdom. But God only choses a few who faithfully obey Jesus.

In first-century Palestine, debates about Roman taxes were intense (see also Matthew 17:24–27).

The Pharisees were strict Jewish leaders who opposed Roman rule. They strongly resisted Roman control and wanted to protect Jewish traditions and independence. They usually disagreed with the supporters of Herod. But in this case, they joined together because both groups hated Jesus.

Is it lawful … or not?: They asked the question to try and trap Jesus. If he said no, they could arrest him for rebelling against Rome. If he said yes, they could accuse him of supporting Roman oppression.

You hypocrites: See study note on Matthew 23:13.

The people had to pay the poll tax with the denarius coin. This coin showed the picture and title of Caesar (the Roman emperor). Old Testament rules against worshiping images (Exodus 20:4; Leviticus 26:1; Deuteronomy 4:15–24) made this coin controversial for Jews (see Josephus, War 2.9.2–3). To avoid conflict, some Roman governors in Palestine minted coins without human images. This showed respect for Jewish religious concerns.

Jesus answered with wisdom. He said people should give Caesar the honor that belongs to him, but they must give God the greater honor and loyalty. Being loyal to God does not always mean being disloyal to human rulers. Jesus showed that there are two realms of authority, Caesar’s and God’s, and God’s authority is greater (Acts 4:19).

The Sadducees (see Matthew 3:7) described a situation about levirate marriage. This was a Jewish custom where a man marries his brother's widow (see Genesis 38:6–11; Deuteronomy 25:5–6). They tried to use this as proof that resurrection from the dead is impossible.

The resurrection was an important topic in the time of Jesus. But the people only asked about it to try and trap him.

the power of God: This probably means God's ability to resurrect people who have died.

like the angels in heaven: Jesus was not teaching that people will be without gender in heaven. Nor was he criticizing God's order of marriage and sexuality. Instead, he was confirming that God will transform people into a glorious new existence (see 1 Corinthians 15:35–49; 2 Corinthians 5:1–5). In this new existence, parts of the current world, like marriage, will not be present.

God spoke of himself as the God of Abraham in the present tense. This shows that Abraham is still alive and that there will be a resurrection.

Many strict Jews believed that every commandment was equally important. Because of this, a careless answer to the question could lead to an accusation of rejecting God’s law.

Jesus answers using the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4–9), a key statement of God's covenant with Israel. The first Hebrew word in Deuteronomy 6:4–9 is shema‘, meaning "hear!"

Love your neighbor as yourself: Leviticus 19:18; see also Romans 13:9; Galatians 5:6, 14; James 2:8.

hang on: The words of Jesus showed that God’s will is unified and consistent, as it is recorded in Scripture.

After Jesus defended himself against the traps of his opponents (21:23–22:40), he asked them a question. How can the Messiah be called both the son of David and also the Lord of David (Psalm 110:1).

Whose son is He? … David's: See study note on Matthew 9:27; also see 2 Samuel 7:12–14; Psalms 2:7–9; 110; Isaiah 11:1, 10; Jeremiah 23:5–6.

The quote is from Psalm 110:1 and New Testament writers often use it to describe Jesus (see Acts 2:34–35; 1 Corinthians 15:25; Hebrews 1:13; 2:8; 10:12–13; Revelation 3:21).

how can He be David’s son?: The answer is that Jesus is not only the son of David; he is also the Son of God (Matthew 14:33).

No one could answer him because they had never thought the Messiah would be God as a human being in the flesh (see John 1:1–14).