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Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in [his] talk. And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any [man]: for thou regardest not the person of men. Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, [ye] hypocrites? Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them, Whose [is] this image and superscription? They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.

My first question on this passage is this. Why were Pharisees and Herodians hanging out together?
2. Do you think any of these men remembered the tax revolt that was led by Judas of Galilee?
3. Were these men secretly looking for a “Zealos leader” like Judas to lead them, or were they looking to catch Jesus causing a revolt, and by doing so they could have something to bring to the Roman authorities?
4. Someone in the crowd had tribute money, but it wasn’t Jesus. Why on earth would a Jew defile himself by having Roman money? Surely if they were serious about their faith, they wouldn’t have it readily available for inspection.
5. Whose image do you bear? What word is superscribed on your heart? To Whom do you belong?

Shalom,
Christopher

If you don't make it an issue, it won't be.

The laws of Deuteronomy reflect a breakdown in family solidarity caused by social change (21:18-21; 25:5-10). The shift from purely agricultural
barter economy to a money economy in which wealth could be accumulated and lent at interest had caused a critical social problem. Farmers who had worked their ancestral lands for generations were losing them to those classes who were in the position to lend them money. Sometimes the inability to satisfy a debt led to the enslavement of a farmer and his family. (15: 12-18) The gap between the rich and the poor was widening and the traditional institutions to protect the poor needed to be revitalized.

The judicial system was corrupted by bribery and had become  unfair to those  most in need of justice. (16: 18-20)

The corporate system in the US wins in the tax realm, as the major percentage burden is placed on the individual's income.

Pharisee's and Herodians paid for their place in Society. Maybe a portion of them considered gain a mark of godliness.
I keep wondering if Barabas' insurrection involved more than murder.