Justin Houtz

2 Samuel 10; 1 Chronicles 20; Psalm 20; Matthew 22

DateVersionReading Plan
May 5, 2026ESV (2016)ESV Life Journal Plan – 2026

Matthew 22

Observation & Interpretation

Several times in this chapter, there is astonishment among Jesus’ hearers through a teaching He gave or a test they had put upon Him. The Pharisees plotted to entangle Jesus with a test about paying taxes to Caesar, but His reply of whom to render payment left them marveled such that they went away (Matt. 22:15-22). The Sadducees also questioned Jesus about the resurrection using a scenario of seven brothers and one woman and the crowd was astonished at His teaching (Matt. 22:23-33). At the end of the chapter, Jesus asked the Pharisees about the Christ and whose son He is (Matt. 22:42). They answered that He is the son of David to which Jesus then asked how David, in the Spirit, calls Him Lord, quoting Psalm 110:1 (Matt. 22:43-45). They were not able to answer Him a word and no dared thereafter to ask Jesus any more questions (Matt. 22:46)

Application

As we ponder and consider the things of God, we will inevitably have questions. In fact, if we do not have questions, there is likely a shallowness of our study of God and His Word that needs to be addressed. He is the eternal, immutable, transcendent God of all creation and we are ultimately limited in our understanding by our finitude. However, as these questions arise, our motivation to seek answers must be rightly placed; that our asking of them is aimed at knowing and loving Him more. We must avoid the self-righteous, pharisaical impetus to undermine God’s character through our questioning. Instead, may we be grateful that our Lord has chosen to reveal Himself to us by His Word, that we are able to come to Him as His children and that He welcomes the requests of the humble with ears inclined to hear.

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