As in many ways the Lord Jesus endeavoured to effect the salvation of the Jews, so on the other hand they in many ways sought to slander and destroy Him. They thought to deceive Him, but the “searchers failed in their search .”1 Then they planned to send their disciples with the Herodians, to find out whether it was lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not ?2 For they thought by this means they would make him odious, either to Caesar, or to the people of the Jews ; because either way His answer would condemn Himself. But the Discemer of hearts, knowing their wickedness, replied, that they should “render to Caesar the things of Caesar, and unto God the things of God ; 99 and called them hypocrites, because their words were fair, but their heart was deceitful. They, therefore, frustrated in their purpose, withdrew ashamed. Regard our Lord attentively, as we have before advised ; consider the teaching, that it is not His will that persons in authority should be defrauded of their temporal rights. Wherefore it is a sin, and forbidden, not to pay rates, taxes, or dues of any kind which are rightly levied by the temporal powers.
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