12:13,14
Remember that all this taking place in the last week, it was a very eventful time in all sorts of ways, as well as the obvious climactic event of the cross itself. Wanting to get rid of Jesus, but being afraid of the crowds, the religious leaders were looking for a way to get Him. They were restrained by the attitude of the crowds, so they looked for a way to try and turn the crowds against Him. The Romans were hated and taxes are never loved, so they sought to trap Him with a taxation question. They also used flattery, though Jesus would be completely immune to this. Remember the Father has said “this is my Son with whom I am well pleased” (Mark 1:11, cf Mark 9:7). So why would the flattery of men have any appeal to Jesus? We should apply this to ourselves as well. The flattery of men can easily lead us astray. Winning men’s approval, or avoiding their disapproval, can be a snare. Yet the Father is for us, we are justified before Him because of Jesus. So we should pay no attention to attempts to flatter us.
They asked Jesus about whether or not it was right to pay taxes to Caesar. If Jesus said yes, then the crowds would turn against Him for “supporting” the hated Roman occupiers. If He said no, then the Roman authorities would arrest Him for promoting rebellion.
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