Greek Matthew 22-15-22

Greek Study Matthew 22:15-22

v15 τοτε adv. "then" - Temporal adverb, used to make the point that the religious leaders' attempt to "trap" Jesus is a response to the parable of the Wedding Feast.

πορευθεντες (πορευομαι) aor. part. "went out" an idiom, they "snuck off."

ελαβον (λαμβανω) aor. "laid [plans]".

παγιδευσωσιν (παγιδευω) aor. sub. "trap [him]" - they planned how they could trick Jesus into saying something wrong.

v16 αποστελλουσιν (αποστελλω) pres. "they sent" - they a dramatic present to increase the  impact of the moment.

Ηρωδιανων "the Herodians" - The only reference to this party found in the New  Testament; supporters of Herod and therefore supporters of the Roman occupation. Remember that Jesus is still smarting from the news of what Herod did John.

διδασκαλε (ος) voc. "teacher" – a title of respect.

αληθης adj. "a man of truth" – i.e. you have integrity.

του θεου (ος) gen. "[you teach the way] of God" – i.e. the way of life willed by God.

εν αληθεια "in [accordance with] the truth" It is doubtful they  actually believe Jesus taught a divine truth, but they may believe he was sincere about his teachings. 

ανθρωπων (ος) gen. "[because you do not look into face] of men” a genitive possessive and an idiom, you are not swayed by outward appearance. He knows a hypocrite when he sees one.

v17 εξεστιν, "is it right/permissible"  δουναι (διδωμι) aor. inf. "to pay"

κηνσον (ος)  “the imperial tax" – This is not the regular taxes levied on goods etc. but the poll tax, a direct administrative tax levied by the Roman government on the Jewish people; hated by the Jews.

Καισαρι dat. "to Caesar" – idiom for the Roman government.

v18 γνους (γινωσκω) aor. part. "knowing" their την πονηριαν (α) "evil intent."

υποκριται (ης ου) "hypocrites" – those who wear a mask {i.e. actors} - their flattery  shows they are not genuine seekers of the truth.

πειραζετε "trap" a word that can mean "test" in the sense of putting someone to a test with the intention of faulting them, the same word used of Jesus time in the wilderness with Satan.  

v19 δηναριον (ον) "a denarius " - a silver Roman coin valued at a day's wage that carried  the emperor's image and often a religious inscription (eg. Tiberious, "God and High  Priest"). As such it was highly offensive to the pious Jew; certainly not something you  would carry into the Temple, but the poll tax had to be paid with this coinage.

v20 λεγει (λεγω) pres. "he asked" – the historical present tense for dramatic effect. Also  found in v21a, 21b.

η εικων (η) "image” η επιγραφη (η) "[and whose] inscription" 

v21 αποδοτε (αποδιδωμι) aor. imp. "give" - the word carries the sense of returning something that rightly belongs to another. No matter how the Jews may despise the Romans, they are obliged to contribute to the cost of government, given that they share in its benefits. 

καισαρι τα καισαρος "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's" - the things of Caesar. As with "of God", the genitive "of Caesar" is adjectival, possessive." 

v22 ακουσαντες (ακουω) aor. part. "when they heard this" 

εθαυμασαν (θαυμαζω) aor.  "they were amazed" - used to describe a pre-faith response to Jesus; more than mere  acknowledgment, less than transforming faith.

αφεντες (αφιημι) aor. part. "so they left [him]” – a word normally from legal usage; they ‘released” him, i.e. they suspended their legal attacks.