Instead of responding with repentance, the Pharisees responded with further plots to try and trap Jesus. This is a futile response, but we can be little better at times. When the Holy Spirit convicts us of something we usually respond initially by trying to excuse ourselves in some way or other. It is far easier just to repent! It saves a lot of time and bother.
This time they begin with flattery. We too sometimes think that by using the right words we will "get round" God. Look, God sees right into our hearts and knows all our motives, better than we do ourselves. Then they ask Him about paying taxes to the Romans. Now the Jews hated the Roman occupation, so if He said they should pay the tax, He would anger the people. If He said they should not, the Romans would come down on Him like a ton of bricks for usurping their authority.
Jesus knew exactly what their game was. So He points them to the image on the coin, and utters the well known words, "render unto Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's". There are various ways we can look at this. First we need to have proper respect for human authority, and at the same time respect for God's ways. Secondly, maybe there is a reference to Genesis 1 where it says we are made in God's image. We belong to God, we have responsibility to Him. The Pharisees were neglecting this responsibility.
The Pharisees were dumbfounded at Jesus' reply.
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