But Jesus knew their evil intent and said, “You hypocrites, why are you testing Me?
Parallel translations
- WEB But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test me, you hypocrites?
- KJV But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?
- NKJV But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test Me, you hypocrites?
- NASB But Jesus perceived their malice, and said, “Why are you testing Me, you hypocrites?
- NLT But Jesus knew their evil motives. “You hypocrites!” he said. “Why are you trying to trap me?
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Jesus perceives their malice and calls them hypocrites. He sees through their pretended sincerity.
Overview
Jesus immediately discerns the wicked intent behind the flattering question, displaying His insight into the human heart. By naming them hypocrites, He exposes the gap between their pious words and their murderous aim. His response models truthful boldness in the face of manipulative opposition.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- John 8:6They said this to test Him, in order to have a basis for accusing Him. But Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with His finger.
- Luke 5:22Knowing what they were thinking, Jesus replied, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts?
- John 2:25He did not need any testimony about man, for He knew what was in a man.
- Acts 5:9“How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord?” Peter replied. “Look, the feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”
- Rev 2:23Then I will strike her children dead, and all the churches will know that I am the One who searches minds and hearts, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.
- Matt 19:3Then some Pharisees came and tested Him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?”
- Matt 16:1–4Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came and tested Jesus by asking Him to show them a sign from heaven.
- Mark 2:8At once Jesus knew in His spirit that they were thinking this way within themselves. “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts?” He asked.
- Luke 10:25One day an expert in the law stood up to test Him. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
- Luke 20:23But Jesus saw through their duplicity and said to them,
- Luke 9:47But Jesus, knowing the thoughts of their hearts, had a little child stand beside Him.
- Mark 12:5He sent still another, and this one they killed. He sent many others; some they beat and others they killed.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King — son of David, son of Abraham — the new Moses and true Israel in whom every prophecy reaches 'that it might be fulfilled.'
How Matthew 22:18 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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