Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 22:15

"Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might ensnare him in [his] talk." — Matthew 22:15 (ASV)

Then went the Pharisees. They must have perceived that the parable of the wedding feast, like that of the wicked husbandmen, was spoken against them. Our Lord’s words, however, did not move them to repentance, but only increased their malice and hatred against Him.

Their hearts were hardened and their consciences seared, so they took counsel how they might entangle Him in His talk. They would not acknowledge that Christ was the wisdom of God and the power of God. Had they done so, they would not have attempted their impossible task.

They saw that to ensnare Jesus in His talk was a difficult undertaking, and therefore they “took counsel” how they might accomplish it. If He had been as faulty as we are, they might have succeeded, for those who wish to entrap us in our talk need not consult much about how to do it.

This incident teaches us that people who can be as precise and formal as these Pharisees were can yet deliberately set themselves to entangle an opponent. Great outward religiousness may coexist with the basest spirit.