Matthew 22:16

KJV

And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any [man]: for thou regardest not the person of men.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} they sent out {G649} unto him {G846} their {G846} disciples {G3101} with {G3326} the Herodians {G2265}, saying {G3004}, Master {G1320}, we know {G1492} that {G3754} thou art {G1488} true {G227}, and {G2532} teachest {G1321} the way {G3598} of God {G2316} in {G1722} truth {G225},{G2532} neither {G3756} carest {G3199} thou {G4671} for {G4012} any {G3762} man: for {G1063} thou regardest {G991} not {G1519}{G3756} the person {G4383} of men {G444}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They sent him some of their talmidim and some members of Herod's party. They said, "Rabbi, we know that you tell the truth and really teach what God's way is. You aren't concerned with what other people think about you, since you pay no attention to a person's status.

Berean Standard Bible

They sent their disciples to Him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that You are honest and that You teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You seek favor from no one, because You pay no attention to external appearance.

American Standard Version

And they send to him their disciples, with the Herodians, saying, Teacher, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, and carest not for any one: for thou regardest not the person of men.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 22:16 records a calculated attempt by Jesus's adversaries to ensnare Him in a theological and political trap. The Pharisees, through their disciples, allied with the Herodians, approached Jesus with feigned admiration, praising His integrity and impartiality in teaching God's truth. Their elaborate flattery was a deceptive prelude to a question designed to force Jesus into a position where He would either alienate the Jewish populace or incur the wrath of Roman authorities, thereby providing grounds for His arrest or discredit.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a series of intense confrontations between Jesus and the religious authorities in Jerusalem during the final week leading up to His crucifixion. Following His triumphal entry and cleansing of the temple, Jesus had challenged the authority of the chief priests and elders in [Matthew 21:23](/matthew/21-23 "Matthew 21:23 - Jesus's Authority Questioned"). These leaders, now seeking to destroy Him, had "taken counsel how they might entangle him in his talk" as stated in [Matthew 22:15](/matthew/22-15 "Matthew 22:15 - The Pharisees' Plot"). The delegation described in [Matthew 22:16](/matthew/22-16 "Matthew 22:16 - The Trap Set") is their initial move in this scheme, immediately preceding the infamous question about paying tribute to Caesar in [Matthew 22:17](/matthew/22-17 "Matthew 22:17 - The Tribute Question"). This entire sequence highlights the escalating tension and the desperate measures taken by those opposed to Jesus's ministry.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The alliance between the disciples of the Pharisees and the Herodians was highly unusual and indicative of the extreme measures taken to trap Jesus. The Pharisees were a religious sect known for their strict adherence to the Mosaic Law and often harbored anti-Roman sentiments, viewing Roman taxation as an affront to God's sovereignty over Israel. The Herodians, on the other hand, were a political faction loyal to Herod Antipas, the Roman-appointed tetrarch, and by extension, to Roman rule. Their presence together created a dilemma for Jesus: if He advocated against paying taxes, He would be seen as a rebel against Rome; if He supported it, He would lose credibility with the Jewish populace who longed for liberation. This strategic pairing was designed to ensure that no matter Jesus's answer, He would be condemned by one powerful group or the other, leveraging the volatile political and religious climate of Judea under Roman occupation.
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 22:16 introduces several crucial themes that resonate throughout the Gospels and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **deception and hypocrisy**, as Jesus's enemies use insincere praise to mask their malicious intent, illustrating the cunning of those who oppose divine truth. Secondly, it ironically highlights **Jesus's acknowledged integrity and divine authority**, as even His adversaries are forced to admit His truthfulness and impartiality in teaching "the way of God in truth." This unwilling testimony serves to underscore His unique character and mission. Thirdly, the phrase "neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men" emphasizes the **impartiality of divine truth and judgment**. This concept, deeply rooted in Old Testament law and reiterated in the New Testament (e.g., [Deuteronomy 10:17](/deuteronomy/10-17 "Deuteronomy 10:17 - God's Impartiality") and [Romans 2:11](/romans/2-11 "Romans 2:11 - God Shows No Partiality")), affirms that God's standards and Jesus's teachings are not swayed by human status, wealth, or power, but are based purely on righteousness and truth.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Master (Greek, _didáskalos'_):** From G1320, meaning "an instructor, doctor, teacher." This term was a respectful address for a religious teacher or rabbi. The use of "Master" by the Pharisees' disciples and Herodians, while seemingly deferential, was part of their deceptive flattery, aiming to disarm Jesus and imply a genuine seeking of His wisdom before springing their trap.
* **true (Greek, _alēthḗs'_):** From G227, meaning "true (as not concealing)." This word emphasizes Jesus's honesty and genuineness. His adversaries acknowledge that He is not deceitful or hidden in His character. This unwilling testimony underscores Jesus's transparent and authentic nature, in stark contrast to their own duplicity.
* **person (Greek, _prósōpon'_):** From G4383, meaning "the front (as being towards view), i.e., the countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication, presence, person." In the phrase "regardest not the person of men," it refers to outward appearance, social status, or external distinctions. The statement means Jesus does not show favoritism or partiality based on superficial human criteria, but judges and teaches based on intrinsic truth and righteousness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying,"**: This opening clause establishes the cunning strategy of Jesus's opponents. "They" refers to the chief priests and elders, as contextually established in [Matthew 21:23](/matthew/21-23 "Matthew 21:23 - The Authority of Jesus Challenged"). The sending of "their disciples" (of the Pharisees) alongside "the Herodians" highlights the unusual and calculated alliance, designed to create an inescapable dilemma for Jesus, regardless of His answer to their impending question.
* **"Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth,"**: This is the core of the deceptive flattery. The address "Master" (didáskalos) is a term of respect, while the affirmations that Jesus is "true" (alēthḗs) and teaches "the way of God in truth" (alḗtheia) are, ironically, accurate assessments of His character and ministry. Their acknowledgment of His integrity was intended to make their subsequent question seem like a genuine inquiry, thereby making Jesus's response to their trap appear more credible to the listening crowd, and His potential downfall more impactful.
* **"neither carest thou for any [man]: for thou regardest not the person of men."**: This final part of the flattery emphasizes Jesus's impartiality and fearlessness, a quality His adversaries sought to exploit. To "not care for any man" or "not regard the person of men" means Jesus is not swayed by human influence, status, or fear of reprisal. He does not show favoritism or partiality based on who a person is, but rather speaks and acts based on pure truth and righteousness. This was meant to egg Jesus on, to make Him feel safe in giving an unvarnished, politically charged answer that would inevitably condemn Him.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 22:16 is rich in **Irony**, as Jesus's enemies, in their attempt to trap Him, inadvertently speak profound truths about His character. Their flattery, intended to deceive, actually serves as an unwilling testimony to Jesus's genuine integrity and divine authority. The entire scene is a **Rhetorical Trap**, meticulously set by combining the opposing political and religious factions (Pharisees and Herodians) to force Jesus into a lose-lose situation. The elaborate opening statement functions as **Flattery**, a deceptive rhetorical technique used to disarm the target and make them more susceptible to manipulation. This flattery highlights the **Hypocrisy** of Jesus's interrogators, who praise His truthfulness while themselves acting with profound dishonesty and malicious intent.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The profound declaration by Jesus's adversaries that He "teaches the way of God in truth" and "regards not the person of men" resonates deeply with the biblical emphasis on God's absolute impartiality and unwavering truthfulness. This concept is foundational to divine justice and righteousness, asserting that God's judgments and teachings are not influenced by human status, power, or outward appearance. Jesus perfectly embodies this divine characteristic, demonstrating that His mission and message are universally applicable and uncompromised by human pressures. This passage thus serves as a powerful testament to the unblemished character of Christ, even from the mouths of His enemies, and underscores the divine standard of truth and equity that believers are called to emulate in their own lives and interactions.

* [Deuteronomy 10:17](/deuteronomy/10-17 "Deuteronomy 10:17 - God Shows No Partiality"): "For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward."
* [Acts 10:34](/acts/10-34 "Acts 10:34 - Peter's Realization of God's Impartiality"): "Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:"
* [James 2:1](/james/2-1 "James 2:1 - Warning Against Partiality"): "My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 22:16 offers potent lessons for contemporary believers, urging us to cultivate discernment, integrity, and impartiality in a world often characterized by deception and bias. Just as Jesus faced cunning adversaries, we too may encounter situations where flattery or seemingly innocent questions mask ulterior motives. This verse calls us to develop spiritual discernment, to look beyond superficial praise, and to critically evaluate the intentions behind words and actions. Furthermore, Jesus's unwavering commitment to teaching "the way of God in truth" serves as a powerful model. It challenges us to uphold biblical truth courageously, even when it is unpopular, inconvenient, or places us at odds with prevailing cultural norms or powerful influences. Finally, the principle that Jesus "regards not the person of men" is a profound call to live impartially. It compels us to treat all individuals with equal dignity, respect, and justice, regardless of their social standing, wealth, background, or perceived influence. Our interactions and judgments should be rooted in righteousness and love, reflecting God's own character, who shows no favoritism.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How can I develop greater discernment to recognize insincere flattery or hidden agendas in my interactions?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to compromise truth for personal gain, social acceptance, or fear of man?**
* **How can I more consistently demonstrate impartiality and treat all people with equal dignity, reflecting God's character, in my daily life?**
* **What does it mean for me to "teach the way of God in truth" in my sphere of influence today?**

### FAQ

**Why did the Pharisees ally with the Herodians, given their usual opposition?**

Answer: The alliance between the Pharisees' disciples and the Herodians was a highly unusual and strategic maneuver born out of a shared, desperate desire to neutralize Jesus. The Pharisees were zealous for Jewish law and generally opposed to Roman rule and taxation, while the Herodians were a political faction loyal to Herod Antipas and, by extension, to Rome. Their normal political and religious differences were set aside for the singular purpose of creating an inescapable trap for Jesus. They aimed to pose a question about paying taxes to Caesar ([Matthew 22:17](/matthew/22-17 "Matthew 22:17 - The Tribute Question")) that would force Jesus into a dilemma: either endorse Roman taxation and alienate the Jewish populace, or condemn it and be accused of sedition against Rome. This unlikely partnership highlights the depth of their animosity and their cunning in devising a no-win scenario for Jesus.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 22:16, though a record of a malicious trap, inadvertently testifies to the perfect character of Jesus Christ, foreshadowing His role as the ultimate Truth and impartial Judge. The adversaries' unwilling confession that Jesus is "true" and "teaches the way of God in truth" points to Him as the very embodiment of God's revelation, the Word made flesh who is "full of grace and truth" as declared in [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"). His refusal to "regard the person of men" speaks to His divine impartiality, a quality that will be fully manifested when He returns as the righteous Judge of all humanity, as described in [Acts 17:31](/acts/17-31 "Acts 17:31 - God's Appointed Judge"). This event, where Jesus's integrity shines brightest amidst the darkness of human deception, anticipates His triumph over all schemes and His ultimate vindication as the Christ, the one whose kingdom is not of this world ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus's Kingdom is Not of This World")), and who judges not by outward appearance but with perfect righteousness ([Isaiah 11:3-4](/isaiah/11-3-4 "Isaiah 11:3-4 - The Righteous Rule of the Messiah")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Mark 3:6

And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.

Luke 20:21

And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person [of any], but teachest the way of God truly:

Mark 12:14

And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?

Mark 8:15

And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and [of] the leaven of Herod.

John 7:18

He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.

1 John 5:20

And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, [even] in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

Jeremiah 9:3

And they bend their tongues [like] their bow [for] lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the LORD.