They said this to test Him, in order to have a charge to bring against Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote [something] on the ground [i.e., in the dirt] with His finger.
Just then a certain teacher of the Law of Moses stood up and [attempted to] test Jesus, saying, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit [never ending] life?”
Some Pharisees came to Him, [attempting] to put Him to a test. They said, “Is it permissible by the Law of Moses for a man to divorce his wife for any reason [he chooses]?”
Some Pharisees [i.e., a strict sect of the Jewish religion] came to Him [and attempted] to test Him by asking, “Is it permissible by the Law of Moses for a man to divorce his wife?”
The Pharisees and Sadducees [i.e., these were strict sects of the Jewish religion], came out and began disputing with Jesus, asking for a [supernatural] sign from Him, [in an attempt] to test Him.
But Jesus did not say anything. So, the head priest said to Him, “I command you [to swear] by the living God, [and] to tell us if you are the Christ [i.e., God’s specially chosen one], the Son of God!”
“Here is how it will be: I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore you should be as crafty [Note: The Greek word here is “sensible”] as snakes, yet as harmless [Note: The Greek word is “sincere”] as doves.
Should we pay it, or should we not pay it?” But Jesus was aware of their hypocrisy and said to them, “Bring me the coin so I can see it.” [Note: The amount of this coin was equivalent to one twelve-hour day of a farm laborer’s pay, or about $108 in 2005].