It was a trap set by the Pharisees and their customary rivals, the Herodians. But on this one thing they agreed: the man called Jesus must be stopped.
So they asked Him, “Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?”
https://chalcedon.edu/magazine/render-unto-caesar
If He says no, the Romans will come gunning for Him. If He says yes, Jewish patriots will despise Him as a collaborator. This was a deadly trap set by Christ’s enemies to destroy Him. We need to appreciate that. The question was designed to have no right answer, and the wrong answer was intended to destroy Him.
Greg Uttinger wrote this article for Chalcedon’s print magazine back in 2004. We still live in times when Caesar lays claim to everything.
But Jesus says give Caesar back what properly is owed to him and belonged to him in the first place: but everything is God’s.
The trouble is that Caesar thinks himself God — even today, when Caesar is the Deep State.
Let’s not forget that there were things that the early Christians did NOT render unto Caesar–worship, for instance.
The problem with rogue government is exactly as you’ve stated–they think they’re gods.
When Joe Biden is asked the question about are you for packing the Supreme Court he answers with “No matter what I say it will be the headline.” Right Joe, and your answer says “YES, I will want to pack the Supreme Court.” Joe, it’s not a trick question, it is one the American people deserve to know before they cast their vote.