Matthew 22:22 kjv
When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.
Matthew 22:22 nkjv
When they had heard these words, they marveled, and left Him and went their way.
Matthew 22:22 niv
When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.
Matthew 22:22 esv
When they heard it, they marveled. And they left him and went away.
Matthew 22:22 nlt
His reply amazed them, and they went away.
Matthew 22 22 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mt 7:28 | When Jesus had finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished... | People astonished by Jesus' teaching authority. |
| Mt 13:54 | And coming to his hometown he taught them...so that they were astonished... | Amazement at His wisdom in His own land. |
| Mk 1:22 | And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one... | Astonishment at Jesus' authoritative teaching. |
| Mk 6:2 | Many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get...?” | Amazement and questioning of His origin. |
| Mk 12:12 | And they were seeking to arrest him...but they left him and went away. | Opponents giving up and departing, similar to Mt 22:22. |
| Lk 2:47 | All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. | Amazement at young Jesus' understanding in temple. |
| Lk 4:32 | And they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority. | Astonishment at the authority of Jesus' word. |
| Lk 20:26 | And they were unable in the presence of the people to catch him... | Opponents failing to trap Jesus. |
| Jn 7:46 | The guards answered, “No one ever spoke like this man!” | Acknowledgment of Jesus' unique teaching. |
| 1 Cor 1:20 | Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? | Divine wisdom confounds human wisdom. |
| 1 Cor 1:25 | For the foolishness of God is wiser than men's wisdom... | God's wisdom transcends human understanding. |
| Jas 1:5 | If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God... | God grants wisdom to those who ask. |
| Prov 2:6 | For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge... | Wisdom originates from the Lord. |
| Isa 55:9 | For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways... | God's thoughts and ways are far above human. |
| Rom 11:33 | Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!... | Ascribing glory to God's incomprehensible wisdom. |
| Mt 15:15 | Peter said to him, “Explain this parable to us.” | Disciples seeking understanding from Jesus. |
| Job 5:12 | He frustrates the devices of the crafty, so that their hands achieve no... | God foils the plans of the cunning. |
| Pss 7:15 | He digs a pit and makes it deep, and falls into the pit that he has made. | Traps laid for others turn against the setter. |
| Ps 37:14-15 | The wicked draw the sword...but their sword shall enter their own heart... | Malicious intent rebounds on the plotter. |
| 2 Tim 3:9 | But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain... | Folly of opponents will eventually be exposed. |
| Mt 22:15 | Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his words. | Direct preceding context of their intent. |
| Mt 22:21 | “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God...” | The very answer that caused amazement. |
Matthew 22 verses
Matthew 22 22 Meaning
Matthew 22:22 describes the reaction of those who attempted to trap Jesus with a complex question about taxes. Upon hearing Jesus' wise and divinely inspired response, they were utterly astonished by His unparalleled wisdom and clarity. Their amazement led them to immediately cease their attempts to challenge Him, and they departed, defeated in their scheme. This verse underscores the divine authority and unchallengeable wisdom of Jesus.
Matthew 22 22 Context
Matthew 22:22 concludes an attempt by Jesus' opponents—specifically a joint delegation of Herodians and Pharisees—to entrap Him in His words. This occurs during Holy Week in Jerusalem, as Jesus is publicly teaching in the Temple courts. Their question, "Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?" (Mt 22:17), was a cleverly designed dilemma. A "yes" answer would alienate the zealous Jews who resented Roman rule, potentially portraying Jesus as a collaborator. A "no" answer would be seditious against Roman authority, allowing His accusers to report Him to the Roman governor. Jesus' profound response, "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s" (Mt 22:21), not only avoided the trap but elevated the discussion, distinguishing civic duty from religious obligation and asserting God's ultimate sovereignty. Verse 22 describes the immediate, powerful impact of this divine wisdom on His adversaries.
Matthew 22 22 Word analysis
- When they heard this (Ἀκούσαντες - Akousantes): Meaning: Literally, "having heard." It signifies the immediate consequence of them processing Jesus' response in verse 21. It indicates that the impact was direct and profound upon their comprehension. Significance: It emphasizes that their amazement was not from a superficial understanding, but from fully grasping the depth and unassailability of Jesus' answer. This demonstrates Jesus' ability to not only answer but to intellectually overwhelm His opponents.
- they were amazed (ἐθαύμασαν - ethaumasan): Meaning: "They marveled, were astonished, wondered greatly." This Greek verb denotes a strong sense of surprise, awe, or admiration, often implying an unexpected encounter with something extraordinary or divine. Significance: This amazement wasn't necessarily born of admiration or conversion, but of sheer astonishment at His cleverness and spiritual depth. It highlights the uniqueness of Jesus' wisdom, which consistently confounded human expectation and opposition throughout the Gospels. It wasn't the political cunning they possessed, but a divine insight.
- and left Him (καὶ ἀφέντες - kai aphentes): Meaning: "And having left, abandoned, dismissed, released." In this context, it means they ceased their efforts and departed from Him. Significance: This indicates their defeat. They had no further argument or counter-question. Their initial intent was to trap Him, but they themselves were entrapped by His wisdom. Their departure signifies the abandonment of their malicious plan.
- and went away (ἀπῆλθον - apēlthon): Meaning: "They departed, went off." A simple statement of movement. Significance: Combined with "left Him," it emphasizes the finality of their withdrawal. Their mission was an abject failure. This departure symbolizes their complete and utter rout in the face of Jesus' divine authority and wisdom, clearing the stage for subsequent interactions without the immediate pressure of this particular opposition group.
- "When they heard this, they were amazed": This phrase captures the immediate and overwhelming impact of Jesus' words. It's a testament to His unique ability to render human cunning impotent. Their "amazement" goes beyond simple surprise; it suggests a profound recognition of a wisdom beyond human capacity, disrupting their expectations and leaving them speechless.
- "and left Him and went away": This dual expression signifies a complete disengagement and retreat. "Left Him" speaks to the cessation of their active confrontation and trapping efforts. "Went away" implies their physical withdrawal, acknowledging their defeat. It reveals the extent to which Jesus' wisdom not only thwarted their trap but also decisively ended their current adversarial engagement. They recognized the futility of further contention.
Matthew 22 22 Bonus section
- The reaction of "amazement" (ethaumasan) is a recurring motif in the Gospels whenever Jesus displays divine authority or wisdom, whether it be teaching (Mt 7:28), healing (Mt 9:33), or answering difficult questions (Mk 12:17, Lk 20:26). It serves to underline the uniqueness of His person and ministry.
- The fact that these adversaries, bitter rivals (Pharisees and Herodians), temporarily united to oppose Jesus further underscores the gravity of their challenge and the overwhelming nature of Jesus' victory. Their immediate and silent departure emphasizes the definitive failure of their joint conspiracy.
- This verse acts as a literary climax to the series of adversarial encounters in Matthew 22. Each attempt by various groups to discredit Jesus before the public fails dramatically, reinforcing His divine authority before His passion.
Matthew 22 22 Commentary
Matthew 22:22 provides a concise summary of the outcome of a significant challenge posed to Jesus. It emphasizes that Jesus' opponents, armed with a carefully crafted snare, were completely overwhelmed by His divinely inspired answer. Their "amazement" highlights the sheer profundity and unexpectedness of His wisdom, which not only diffused the political and religious trap but also elevated the discourse to a spiritual plane concerning God's ultimate sovereignty. Their subsequent departure ("left Him and went away") signifies their utter defeat; they had no recourse, no follow-up question, and no argument against His irrefutable truth. This verse powerfully portrays Jesus as the embodiment of divine wisdom, whose authority and insight consistently transcend and confound all human attempts at manipulation or opposition. It's a reminder that true wisdom belongs to God, and those who contend against it will ultimately be astonished and routed.