Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 22:35

"And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question, trying him:" — Matthew 22:35 (ASV)

Apparently, the result of their conference was that they selected one from their group to pose another question to Jesus; one of them, a lawyer, then asked him a question. Mark says that this man was one of the scribes, one of those constantly engaged in copying the Law, and also one who explained its meaning to the people. He was a man “learned in the Law.” He came, either as the representative of the Pharisees or on his own initiative, and asked Jesus a question, tempting him. Putting the mildest meaning on the word “tempting,” it conveys the idea of testing and trying in an unfriendly sense.

Probably he was a man of clearer light and greater discernment than his associates, for he was evidently only half-hearted in the work of “tempting” Christ. Mark says that he had heard our Lord’s words to the Sadducees, and perceiving that he had answered them well, he put his own question to Jesus. He was evidently a man of candor, possessing a considerable amount of spiritual knowledge. This may help to explain the reason for his question—