Luke 20:23

23 But perceiving their deceit he said to them, Why do ye tempt me?

Luke 20:23 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 20:23

But he perceived their craftiness
Knowing what was in them, and being a discerner of the thoughts and intents of their hearts, he clearly saw that their view was either, that they might have a charge against him to the Roman governor, should he declare against payment of tribute; or that they might expose him to the people of the Jews, should he assert the lawfulness of it:

and said unto them, why tempt ye me?
with this ensnaring question.

Luke 20:23 In-Context

21 And they asked him saying, Teacher, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, and acceptest no [man's] person, but teachest with truth the way of God:

22 Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?

23 But perceiving their deceit he said to them, Why do ye tempt me?

24 Shew me a denarius. Whose image and superscription has it? And answering they said, Caesar's.

25 And he said to them, Pay therefore what is Caesar's to Caesar, and what is God's to God.