Matthew 22:34

¶ But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together.

But {G1161} when the Pharisees {G5330} had heard {G191} that {G3754} he had put {G5392} the Sadducees {G4523} to silence {G5392}, they were gathered together {G4863}{G1909}{G846}.

but when the P'rushim learned that he had silenced the Tz'dukim, they got together,

And when the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they themselves gathered together.

But the Pharisees, when they heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, gathered themselves together.

Commentary

Matthew 22:34 marks a pivotal moment in Jesus's final week in Jerusalem, immediately following His profound discourse with the Sadducees. The verse sets the stage for another significant challenge from the religious establishment, this time from the Pharisees.

Context

This verse is situated within a series of confrontations between Jesus and various Jewish religious factions during what is often called "Passion Week." Before this, the Herodians tried to trap Jesus with a question about paying taxes (Matthew 22:15-22), and then the Sadducees, who denied the resurrection, attempted to discredit Him with a hypothetical scenario about marriage after death (Matthew 22:23-33). Jesus's response to the Sadducees was so decisive that it "put them to silence," leaving them astonished. The Pharisees, often theological rivals of the Sadducees, likely saw Jesus's triumph over their opponents as a threat to their own authority and decided to regroup to challenge Him further, leading to the famous question about the greatest commandment in the Law (Matthew 22:35).

Key Themes

  • Jesus's Unquestionable Authority: The fact that Jesus could silence both the Herodians and the Sadducees, two distinct and often opposing groups, speaks volumes about His divine wisdom and authority. He consistently demonstrated an understanding of Scripture and God's will far beyond that of the religious leaders.
  • Persistent Opposition: Despite being repeatedly outmaneuvered, the religious leaders, particularly the Pharisees, did not cease their attempts to trap or discredit Jesus. This highlights their deep-seated resistance to His message and person.
  • Inter-Sectarian Dynamics: The Pharisees' reaction ("when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence") shows their awareness of the Sadducees' defeat and perhaps a competitive desire to succeed where others had failed, or simply a recognition of the growing threat Jesus posed to their collective power.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "put... to silence" translates the Greek word ephimōsen (ἐφίμωσεν), derived from phimoo, which means "to muzzle" or "to silence by stopping the mouth." This isn't merely about winning an argument; it implies a complete and decisive victory that left the Sadducees unable to utter a further word of objection or counter-argument. It underscores the overwhelming clarity and power of Jesus's teaching.

Practical Application

This verse reminds us that divine truth often faces strong opposition, especially from those who feel their established positions or beliefs are threatened. Jesus's example shows how to respond to challenges with wisdom, grace, and an unwavering commitment to truth. It also serves as a cautionary tale about religious pride and the danger of seeking to trap or discredit others rather than genuinely seeking understanding and truth. For believers today, it encourages us to stand firm in our faith, knowing that truth will ultimately prevail, and to rely on God's wisdom when confronted with opposition, just as Jesus did.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Mark 12:28

    ¶ And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?

  • Mark 12:31

    And the second [is] like, [namely] this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

  • Matthew 25:3

    They that [were] foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

  • Matthew 25:5

    While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

  • Matthew 12:14

    ¶ Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.

  • John 11:47

    Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.

  • John 11:50

    Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.
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