Originally posted by @vivify
Romans 13:6-7:
[b]This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue
Jesus on whether or not to pay Caesar's taxes: "Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s".[/b]
You’re misquoting the first part of Jesus’ statement and leaving off the rest of the quote (as atheists often do.)
The full quote is:
“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.”
(Matthew 22:21)
Jesus was essentially saying, “Everything belongs to God.” Why was He being circumspect? Look at the whole passage:
“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.
When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.”
(Matthew 22:15-22)
The Pharisees were trying to trap Jesus. If Jesus said it was lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, He would anger many Jews who were His followers and who wanted to rebel against the Roman government. If Jesus said it was not lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, the Pharisees could report that to the Romans and claim Jesus was encouraging a revolt against paying taxes.
Jesus gave a very artful answer which, when quoted in full, says everything belongs to God.
And He is, of course, correct.