12:13–17 This passage deals with the first of three questions put to Jesus by his critics in 12:13–34. The purpose of the question is to trap him (lit., “to snare”). The trap does not succeed, however, and Jesus impresses his opponents in this discussion tinged with hostility.

In order to understand the significance of the question and how it was intended as a snare for Jesus, it is necessary to take notice of the political situation of the time. The land of Palestine was under the rule of the Romans, and the Jews were essentially captives in their own country. Some Jews went along with this quite willingly and, as a consequence, were able to profit considerably. These people include the tax gatherers who worked for the Romans and their client rulers (the Herods), as well as other Jews, p…