Pray the ancient practice of Lectio Divina with Matthew and St. John Chrysostom. This article covers the attempts of the Pharisees to ensnare Christ and His proclamation of the greatest commandment, with a step-by-step guide to praying Lectio Divina.
LECTIO
MATTHEW 22:15–46
Subject: The Attempts of the Pharisees to Ensnare Christ
15 Then the Pharisees going, consulted among themselves how to insnare him in his speech. 16 And they sent to him their disciples with the Herodians, saying: Master, we know that thou art a true speaker, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou dost not regard the person of men. 17 Tell us therefore what dost thou think, is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?
18 But Jesus knowing their wickedness, said: Why do you tempt me, ye hypocrites? 19 Shew me the coin of the tribute. And they offered him a penny. 20 And Jesus saith to them: Whose image and inscription is this? 21 They say to him: Caesar’s. Then he saith to them: Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God, the things that are God’s.
22 And hearing this they wondered, and leaving him, went their ways. 23 That day there came to him the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection; and asked him, 24 Saying: Master, Moses said: If a man die having no son, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up issue to his brother. 25 Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first having married a wife, died; and not having issue, left his wife to his brother. 26 In like manner the second, and the third, and so on to the seventh. 27 And last of all the woman died also. 28 At the resurrection therefore whose wife of the seven shall she be? for they all had her.
29 And Jesus answering, said to them: You err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God. 30 For in the resurrection they shall neither marry nor be married; but shall be as the angels of God in heaven. 31 And concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read that which was spoken by God, saying to you: 32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. 33 And the multitudes hearing it, were in admiration at his doctrine.
34 But the Pharisees hearing that he had silenced the Sadducees, came together: 35 And one of them, a doctor of the law, asked him, tempting him: 36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
37 Jesus said to him: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind. 38 This is the greatest and the first commandment. 39 And the second is like to this: Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments dependeth the whole law and the prophets.
41 And the Pharisees being gathered together, Jesus asked them, 42 Saying: What think you of Christ? whose son is he? They say to him: David’s. 43 He saith to them: How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying: 44 The Lord said to my Lord, Sit on my right hand, until I make thy enemies thy footstool? 45 If David then call him Lord, how is he his son? 46 And no man was able to answer him a word; neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.
Reading with St. John Chrysostom
The Pharisees, wary and cunning, conspire to trap Christ in His own words. They ally with Herod’s soldiers, those loyal to a foreign ruler, so that the guilt of condemning the Messiah might not rest fully on their shoulders. Chrysostom reveals their motive: fearful of the crowd’s love for Jesus, they devise a snare, hoping He will speak against the Herodians and thus fall into political danger. Their hearts are not sincere; they seek to accuse rather than to understand (Homily 71.1).
Yet Christ’s wisdom shines through this trap. He speaks not only to their question but beyond it, declaring God to be the God of the living, not the dead. This is no mere reference to physical death, but a profound reminder that true death is spiritual, those who remain estranged from God are dead even before their bodies perish. Chrysostom clarifies that God claims those who live eternally, those who are spiritually alive and destined to rise again, not those lost forever (Homily 71.2).
In His boundless mercy, Christ does not cease in His efforts to save. Even when all other avenues of conversion have been exhausted, He does not shy away from invoking the fear of judgment. As Chrysostom explains, this is a final, merciful warning, a call to repentance: “Till I make thine enemies thy footstool” (Matt. 22:44). Here, terror serves salvation, that even the hardest hearts might turn to Him before it is too late.
MEDITATIO
Behold Christ, whose words flow with a wisdom so profound that none who opposed Him could find footing to answer back. Each phrase He spoke was a gentle yet unyielding arrow of truth, piercing the pretensions and falsehoods laid before Him. No debate, no clever trap, could match the depth of His understanding. Did the Pharisees begin to feel the weight of their own impotence, that here stood One whose mind and spirit could not be shaken by human cunning?
Their voices, once confident and sharp, faltered. Christ was a steadfast pillar, unbroken and whole, unmoved by their assaults of words. His silence in moments, His measured reply in others, were shields forged from divine knowledge. Frustration crept into their hearts. Their plans to ensnare Him with questions backfired, exposing their own folly. In their desperation, they ceased to ask, for pride would not suffer the humiliation of defeat. They could not bear the sting of being outwitted, not just in speech, but in spirit. In their silence, we glimpse the tragic blindness of those who value pride over truth, fear over humility. Christ stands quietly triumphant, the silent King whose wisdom reigns beyond all opposition.
ORATIO
1. Lord, You have made me for fullness of life, not mere existence, but a life that reflects Your glory and love. You desire that I live according to the purpose You have woven into my very being. Help me to see clearly the dreams and plans You have placed in my heart.
2. I take a moment now to write down five hopes and dreams I still carry, those desires that stir my soul and beckon me forward. Father, I ask for Your wisdom to guide me. Show me which of these dreams align with the path You have set before me in this season of my life. Reveal where my potential can be most fruitfully used for Your kingdom and my own growth.
3. Grant me the grace to embrace Your will, whether that means pursuing these dreams with courage or laying some aside in trust. Lead me, Lord, so that my life may flourish in the way You intended, rich with purpose, love, and faithful service. May Your Spirit illuminate my steps and keep me anchored in Your peace as I seek to live fully for You.
CONTEMPLATIO
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This article is taken from a chapter in Lectio Divina with the Spiritual Masters: The Gospel of Matthew with St. John Chrysostom which is available from TAN Books.
