The scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him at that very hour, for they perceived that he had told this parable against them, but they feared the people. So they watched him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor. So they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and show no partiality, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?” (Luke 20:19-22 ESV)
Having failed to stop Jesus from teaching or attracting seekers, the religious leaders tried another method: get someone else to do their dirty work for them. If they could just get Jesus to look like some political rebel, the Romans would take Him out. So they try the same game with a different subject - try to get Jesus to say something rebellious and radical against Rome. We can well imagine that they made sure some reporters were on hand to record his statement. How often do we try to get others to look like the bad guy, so we will look better?
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