Matius 12:12

12:12 How much more valuable is a person than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”

Matius 14:4

14:4 because John had repeatedly told ¹  him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” ² 

Matius 22:17

22:17 Tell us then, what do you think? Is it right ³  to pay taxes ⁴  to Caesar ⁵  or not?”

[14:4]  ¹ tn The imperfect tense verb is here rendered with an iterative force.

[14:4]  ² sn This marriage of Herod to his brother Philip’s wife was a violation of OT law (Lev 18:16; 20:21). In addition, both Herod Antipas and Herodias had each left marriages to enter into this union.

[22:17]  ³ tn Or “lawful,” that is, in accordance with God’s divine law. On the syntax of ἔξεστιν (exestin) with an infinitive and accusative, see BDF §409.3.

[22:17]  ⁴ tn According to L&N 57.180 the term κῆνσος (khnso") was borrowed from Latin and referred to a poll tax, a tax paid by each adult male to the Roman government.

[22:17]  sn This question concerning taxes was specifically designed to trap Jesus. If he answered yes, then his opponents could publicly discredit him as a sympathizer with Rome. If he answered no, then they could go to the Roman governor and accuse Jesus of rebellion.

[22:17]  ⁵ tn Or “to the emperor” (“Caesar” is a title for the Roman emperor).