†   Gospel Reading:     Matthew 22:15-22

This is part of the social context of this week’s gospel lection from Matthew 22:15-22. According to Matthew, the opposition to Jesus sought to spring a political trap on Jesus by asking him how he felt about tax policy. Specifically, was it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor (v. 17)? As the introduction of the matter demonstrates, they are trying to get Jesus to come down on one side of the issue or the other, since Jesus had been known for respecting everyone (v. 16). Either he will have to side with the emperor against the people and look like a collaborator, or side with the people against the government and look like Judas the Galilean. Either way, not good options.