Then the Pharisees went off and plotted how they might entrap him in speech. They sent their disciples to him, with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. And you are not concerned with anyone's opinion, for you do not regard a person's status. Tell us, then, what is your opinion: Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?" Knowing their malice, Jesus said, "Why are you testing me, you hypocrites? Show me the coin that pays the census tax." Then they handed him the Roman coin. He said to them, "Whose image is this and whose inscription?" They replied, "Caesar's." At that he said to them, "Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God." (Mt 22: 15-21)
Pharisees were against Jesus. They joined hands with anyone who would also fight against Jesus. They knew that Jesus was preaching the kingdom and all he said was true. They were trying to trap him to find fault with him. So far all what he said was true and they indirectly agree to what Jesus has taught and has done. There was truth in his speech and there was kindness, mercy, love in his deeds.
Paying tax to Rome would imply that he has taken side with the social force and acknowledged the Roman Empire. The Pharisees totally opposed Romans so also there were groups who opposed the presence of Romans in Israel and they were fighting against them. Since Jesus had not said anything about Romans they thought that he was on their side and hence they wanted him to answer openly and thus trap him.
Jesus’ answer pulled the carpet from under their feet. They did not expect this answer from. Jesus strongly rooted in God and for him God meant everything. Living in the society one cannot deny the society and the social and civil duties. That is why Jesus when prays for the Disciples in the Gospel of John, he would say that they (disciples) are in the world but do not belong to the world.
