Matthew 22:1

The NASB says, "Jesus answered." This was Matthew’s way of introducing what Jesus said (cf. Matthew 11:25). It does not mean that what Jesus said was a response to a particular question someone had asked Him. Jesus responded to the leaders’ desires (cf. Matthew 21:45-46). The antecedent of "them" was the Jewish leaders, but there were many other Jews in the temple courtyard listening to the dialogue.