Matthew 22:35

KJV

Then one of them, [which was] a lawyer, asked [him a question], tempting him, and saying,

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G2532} one {G1520} of {G1537} them {G846}, which was a lawyer {G3544}, asked {G1905} him a question, tempting {G3985} him {G846}, and {G2532} saying {G3004},

Complete Jewish Bible

and one of them who was a Torah expert asked a sh'eilah to trap him:

Berean Standard Bible

One of them, an expert in the law, tested Him with a question:

American Standard Version

And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question, trying him:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 22:35 introduces a pivotal moment in Jesus's final week in Jerusalem, immediately following His encounters with the Herodians and Sadducees. Here, a lawyer, acting on behalf of the Pharisees, steps forward with a question designed not for genuine inquiry but to "tempt" or entrap Jesus, setting the stage for one of His most profound teachings on the greatest commandment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Matthew 22:35 is situated within a series of escalating confrontations between Jesus and the religious authorities in Jerusalem during the Passion Week. Prior to this verse, Jesus has already skillfully parried the politically charged question about paying taxes to Caesar from the Herodians and Pharisees in [Matthew 22:15-22](/matthew/22-15-22 "Matthew 22:15-22 - Paying Taxes to Caesar"). He then silenced the Sadducees, who denied the resurrection, with His theological acumen in [Matthew 22:23-33](/matthew/22-23-33 "Matthew 22:23-33 - The Sadducees' Question About the Resurrection"). The Pharisees, seeing their rivals defeated and their own influence challenged, gather to make a final, concerted effort to discredit Jesus, with one of their legal experts leading the charge. This verse serves as the immediate prelude to Jesus's declaration of the greatest commandment in [Matthew 22:36-40](/matthew/22-36-40 "Matthew 22:36-40 - The Greatest Commandment").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The term "lawyer" (Greek: _nomikos_) in this context refers to an expert in the Mosaic Law, often a scribe who specialized in the interpretation and teaching of the Torah. These individuals were highly respected within Jewish society for their profound knowledge of Scripture and tradition. The setting is Jerusalem during the Passover festival, a time of heightened religious and political tension, with large crowds and a strong Roman presence. The religious leaders, particularly the Pharisees, viewed Jesus as a threat to their authority and established order. Their repeated attempts to "tempt" or test Jesus reflect a deep-seated animosity and a desperate desire to find a charge against Him, either theological or political, that would justify His arrest and condemnation. This was not a friendly debate but a calculated ambush.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes in Matthew's Gospel. Firstly, it underscores the **persistent opposition and hostility** Jesus faced from the religious establishment, highlighting their spiritual blindness and unwillingness to accept His divine authority, despite His miraculous works and profound teachings. Secondly, it emphasizes the **wisdom and authority of Christ** as He consistently outmaneuvers His adversaries, turning their malicious questions into opportunities for divine revelation. His response to the lawyer's question, found in [Matthew 22:37-40](/matthew/22-37-40 "Matthew 22:37-40 - Jesus Teaches the Greatest Commandment"), becomes a foundational summary of the entire Law and Prophets. Lastly, the episode illustrates the **nature of true spiritual inquiry** versus deceptive testing, contrasting genuine seeking with malicious intent, a theme seen throughout Jesus's ministry as recorded in [Matthew's Gospel](/matthew/1 "The Gospel According to Matthew").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **lawyer (Greek, _nomikós'_):** G3544. This term denotes someone "according (or pertaining) to law," specifically an expert in the Mosaic Law. Unlike a modern legal professional, a _nomikós_ was a theologian and interpreter of divine statutes. Their challenge to Jesus was therefore not merely legal but deeply theological, aiming to expose a perceived flaw in His understanding or application of God's commandments.
* **asked (Greek, _eperōtáō'_):** G1905. While simply meaning "to ask for" or "inquire," the context of "tempting him" (G3985) imbues this verb with a specific nuance. It suggests an inquiry made with an ulterior motive, not for genuine understanding but to probe for weakness or to set a trap.
* **tempting (Greek, _peirázō'_):** G3985. This word signifies "to test (objectively)," "endeavor," "scrutinize," or "entice." In this context, it carries the strong connotation of putting someone to the test with malicious intent, seeking to find fault, entrap, or prove them wrong. It is the same word used to describe Satan's temptation of Jesus in the wilderness ([Matthew 4:1](/matthew/4-1 "Matthew 4:1 - Satan Tempts Jesus")).

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then one of them":** This phrase immediately connects the lawyer to the group of Pharisees mentioned in the preceding verse ([Matthew 22:34](/matthew/22-34 "Matthew 22:34 - The Pharisees Gather")). It highlights that this was not an isolated individual but a representative of the religious establishment, part of their collective effort to challenge Jesus. The use of "one" (G1520, _heîs_) emphasizes a specific individual stepping forward from the group.
* **"[which was] a lawyer":** This identifies the specific expertise of the challenger. By sending a "lawyer," the Pharisees intended to pose a question that would be highly complex or divisive, hoping to force Jesus into a theological misstep or an answer that would alienate a segment of the populace. It underscores the intellectual and spiritual weight of the impending question.
* **"asked [him a question], tempting him, and saying":** This clause reveals the true, hostile motive behind the inquiry. The "question" was not born of sincere curiosity or a desire for truth, but was a deliberate attempt to "tempt" (G3985, _peirázō_) Jesus, to test His loyalty to the Law, His wisdom, or His adherence to rabbinic tradition. The phrase "and saying" then introduces the specific content of the trap, which is revealed in the subsequent verse.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several literary devices. **Antagonism** is a dominant feature, as the verse clearly establishes a confrontational dynamic between Jesus and the religious authorities, represented by the lawyer. This is part of a larger pattern of escalating conflict throughout Matthew's narrative leading to the crucifixion. **Foreshadowing** is also present; the lawyer's malicious intent to "tempt" Jesus subtly echoes the earlier temptations by Satan in the wilderness ([Matthew 4:1-11](/matthew/4-1-11 "Matthew 4:1-11 - The Temptation of Jesus")), hinting at the spiritual battle underlying these earthly confrontations. Furthermore, there is an element of **dramatic irony**, as the lawyer, intending to trap Jesus, unwittingly provides Him with an opportunity to deliver one of His most profound and enduring teachings, ultimately exposing the spiritual blindness of His interrogators rather than His own.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 22:35, though brief, is theologically significant as it sets the stage for Jesus's definitive teaching on the essence of God's Law. The persistent "tempting" of Jesus by the religious leaders underscores the profound spiritual blindness and hardened hearts of those who, despite their intimate knowledge of the Scriptures, failed to recognize the Messiah standing before them. Their questions were not a search for truth but an attempt to maintain control and discredit divine authority. Jesus's response, however, transcends their malicious intent, revealing the divine wisdom that perfectly encapsulates the entirety of God's will. This encounter highlights the contrast between human cunning and divine wisdom, and between superficial adherence to law and the deep, relational love that is its true fulfillment. It emphasizes that true understanding of God's commands flows from a heart transformed by love for God and neighbor.

* [Matthew 22:36](/matthew/22-36 "Matthew 22:36 - The Lawyer's Question")
* [Luke 10:25-28](/luke/10-25-28 "Luke 10:25-28 - A Lawyer Tests Jesus")
* [Matthew 4:1](/matthew/4-1 "Matthew 4:1 - Satan Tempts Jesus in the Wilderness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 22:35 offers a powerful lesson in discernment and spiritual integrity. In a world where genuine inquiry can be mixed with skepticism, criticism, or even malicious intent, this verse reminds us that not all questions posed about faith are sincere. We may encounter individuals who, like the lawyer, seek to "tempt" or trap us, not to understand but to undermine. In such moments, we are called to emulate Christ's wisdom and grace. Jesus did not shy away from the challenge; instead, He used the opportunity to articulate profound truth, transforming an adversarial encounter into a teaching moment. This encourages us to respond to challenges not with defensiveness, but with clarity, courage, and a focus on the core tenets of our faith, allowing the truth of the Gospel to speak for itself. It also prompts us to examine our own motives when we approach spiritual questions, ensuring our hearts are open to genuine understanding rather than seeking to prove a point or find fault.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I discern the motives behind questions or challenges to my faith?**
* **In what ways can I emulate Jesus's wisdom and grace when confronted with hostility or attempts to trap me?**
* **How can I use challenging situations as opportunities to articulate core truths of the Gospel, rather than becoming defensive?**
* **Am I genuinely seeking truth in my spiritual inquiries, or am I sometimes approaching them with a preconceived agenda?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of the term "lawyer" in this context?**

Answer: In the New Testament, a "lawyer" (Greek: _nomikós_) was not a legal professional in the modern sense, but rather an expert in the Mosaic Law. These individuals were often scribes who dedicated their lives to studying, interpreting, and teaching the Torah and its vast body of oral traditions. Their challenge to Jesus in [Matthew 22:35](/matthew/22-35 "Matthew 22:35 - The Lawyer's Challenge") was therefore deeply theological, aiming to test Jesus's understanding and adherence to the very divine law they specialized in. By sending a _nomikós_, the Pharisees intended to pose a question that was complex and potentially divisive, hoping to expose Jesus as either ignorant or unorthodox in His interpretation of God's commands.

**Why did the religious leaders keep "tempting" Jesus?**

Answer: The religious leaders, including the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Herodians, repeatedly "tempted" or tested Jesus throughout His ministry for several reasons. Primarily, they saw Him as a threat to their authority, influence, and the established religious and social order. They were deeply entrenched in their traditions and could not accept Jesus's radical teachings or His claims of divine authority. Their questions, as seen in [Matthew 22:15-35](/matthew/22-15-35 "Matthew 22:15-35 - Jesus Confronts His Opponents"), were designed to trap Him into saying something politically seditious against Rome, religiously heretical against the Law, or socially divisive among the people. Their ultimate goal was to find grounds to discredit Him, undermine His growing popularity, and ultimately silence Him, leading to His crucifixion.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 22:35, though a seemingly simple narrative introduction, profoundly highlights the Christ-centered nature of the Gospel. Jesus, as the incarnate Son of God, stands as the ultimate authority and embodiment of divine wisdom, perfectly navigating the cunning schemes of His adversaries. This lawyer's attempt to "tempt" Him underscores the relentless opposition faced by the One who is the very fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). Unlike humanity's consistent failure under temptation, Jesus, the second Adam, perfectly resists every test, demonstrating His sinless perfection and qualifications as the spotless Lamb of God ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). His subsequent answer to the lawyer's question, revealing the greatest commandment, is not merely a rabbinic interpretation but a divine revelation, showing that all of God's Law is perfectly encapsulated in love for God and neighbor—a love perfectly demonstrated by Christ Himself through His life, death, and resurrection ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love")). This encounter ultimately points to Jesus as the One who perfectly fulfills all righteousness ([Matthew 3:15](/matthew/3-15 "Matthew 3:15 - Jesus Fulfills All Righteousness")), silencing not only the accusations of human adversaries but also the ultimate accuser, Satan, through His redemptive work on the cross ([Colossians 2:14-15](/colossians/2-14-15 "Colossians 2:14-15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")).

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

Luke 7:30

But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.

Luke 10:25

¶ And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

Luke 10:37

And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

Luke 11:45

Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also.

Luke 11:46

And he said, Woe unto you also, [ye] lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.

Luke 11:52

Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.

Luke 14:3

And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day?