Matthew 22:35

Context

Matthew 22:35 is part of a crucial series of confrontations Jesus had with the Jewish religious leaders in Jerusalem during the week leading up to His crucifixion. After silencing the Herodians concerning taxes (Matthew 22:15-22) and the Sadducees regarding the resurrection (Matthew 22:23-33), it was the Pharisees' turn to challenge Him. This verse introduces a specific individual from their ranks, a "lawyer," who steps forward with an intent to trap Jesus.

Key Themes

• The Persistent Testing of Jesus: This verse highlights the relentless efforts of the religious authorities to discredit Jesus. Their questions were not born of genuine inquiry but a desire to find fault and undermine His growing influence.
• The Wisdom of Christ Challenged: By introducing a "lawyer," an expert in Jewish law, the stage is set for a question intended to be highly complex and divisive, yet Jesus's subsequent answer (in Matthew 22:37-40) reveals His unparalleled divine wisdom.
• Hostility and Opposition: The phrase "tempting him" underscores the deep-seated animosity and opposition Jesus faced from those who should have been His greatest advocates.

Linguistic Insights

• "Lawyer" (Greek: nomikos): This term refers to an expert in the Mosaic Law, often a scribe who specialized in interpreting and teaching the Scriptures. Unlike a modern lawyer, their focus was on divine law, making their challenge about the "greatest commandment" particularly significant. Their expertise was meant to expose a flaw in Jesus's understanding.
• "Tempting him" (Greek: peirazō): This word carries the connotation of putting someone to the test, to try and find a weakness or fault. It implies a malicious intent to entrap or prove false, rather than a sincere desire for knowledge. It's the same word used for Satan's temptation of Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1).

Related Scriptures

• The specific question this lawyer asks is found in the very next verse, Matthew 22:36.
• A parallel account of a similar interaction with a lawyer, though possibly with different intent, is found in Luke 10:25-37, leading to the parable of the Good Samaritan.
• Other instances of religious leaders attempting to test or trap Jesus can be seen throughout the Gospels, demonstrating a consistent pattern of opposition.

Practical Application

Matthew 22:35 serves as a reminder that not all questions or challenges are genuine. We may encounter individuals who approach spiritual matters with motives of criticism or entrapment. This verse encourages believers to:

• Discern Motives: Be aware that not everyone who asks about faith does so with a sincere heart.
• Trust in Christ's Wisdom: Just as Jesus perfectly navigated these cunning questions, we can trust in His divine wisdom to guide us through complex or challenging situations.
• Focus on Core Truths: Despite the adversarial intent, Jesus used this opportunity to articulate the greatest commandments, reminding us to always return to the fundamental principles of God's Word.