{And the Pharisees came forth} (kai ex(886c)thon hoi
Pharisaioi). At once they met Jesus and opened a controversy.
 Mt 16:1  adds "and Sadducees," the first time these two parties
appear together against Jesus. See discussion on 烘t 16:1|. The
Pharisees and Herodians had already joined hands against Jesus in
the sabbath controversy ( Mr 3:6 ). They {began to question with
him} ((8872)xanto sunz(8874)ein aut(9369)). Dispute, not mere inquiry,
associative instrumental case of autoi. They began at once and
kept it up (present infinitive).