As I have pointed out previously, the exchanges we have heard about can be considered as taking the form of a trial. Jesus, the Messiah visiting his Temple, hands down judgment on it by cleansing the Court of the Gentiles. The chief priests and elders call him to account by asking: "By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?" (Mtt 21: 23) Jesus replies by referring them to John the Baptist and giving them a series of parables that convict them of unbelief, failing to render to God the fruit of the Kingdom and refusing to accept God's invitation to his wedding banquet. Disgruntled by Jesus' defiance the Pharisees counter-attack by asking: "Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor or not?" (Mtt 22: 17) Either way, they think, Jesus will be discredited in the eyes of his followers or by the Roman authority. Jesus' reply instead traps them. It is they who are holding coins with the image of the pagan emperor. It is they who prioritize money and political power ahead of God. It is they who have sold out their faith for secular gain. Thus, they are amazed as they have been outwitted by Jesus, thought to be son of the carpenter, from Nazareth. Publicly humiliated in the presence of Jesus' disciples and their own supporters, no wonder their minds turn to murder since they are unable to defeat Jesus in debate. Let us pray that we ourselves will not be counted among such hypocrites when our risen Lord returns in glory.
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