And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions. Neither durst any - ask him any more questions - "Thus," says Dr. Wotton, "our Lord put the four great sects of the Jews to silence, in one day, successively. The Herodians and Pharisees wanted to know whether they might lawfully pay tribute to Caesar or not. The Sadducees were inquisitive to know whose wife the woman should be of the seven brethren, in the resurrection, who had her to wife. Then comes the scribe, (or karaite), who owned no authority beyond or besides the written law, and asked which was the great commandment in the law. This lawyer deserves to be mentioned here, because he not only acquiesced in, but commended, what our Lord had said in answer to his question." Wotton's Miscellaneous Discourses, vol. i. p. 78.
The Pharisees and Herodians were defeated, Matthew 22:15-22. The Sadducees were confounded, Matthew 22:29-33. The lawyers or karaites nonplussed, Matthew 22:37-40. And the Pharisees, etc., finally routed, Matthew 22:41-46. Thus did the wisdom of God triumph over the cunning of men.
From this time, we do not find that our Lord was any more troubled with their captious questions: their whole stock, it appears, was expended, and now they coolly deliberate on the most effectual way to get him murdered. He that resists the truth of God is capable of effecting the worst purpose of Satan.
The very important subjects of this chapter have been so amply discussed in the notes, and applied so particularly to their spiritual uses, that it does not appear necessary to add any thing by way of practical improvement. The explanation of the great command of the law is particularly recommended to the reader's notice. See on Matthew 22:36-40 (note).
Commentary on the Bible, by Adam Clarke [1831].