On November 13, 1789, Benjamin
Franklin wrote to his friend, the French scientist Jean-Baptiste Leroy,
inquiring about his well-being. Franklin had gotten to know him while serving
as the US Ambassador to France. They shared many interests, including
experiments with electricity. In that letter, Franklin touched on many things,
but what makes the letter especially memorable is when Franklin wrote, “Our new
Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises
permanency; but in this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except death
and taxes.”1
Over 200 years have passed since Franklin
wrote that letter, but we commonly quote that statement, and it still rings
true, doesn’t it? Life changes all around us, but death and taxes are still
with us. That’s not to say there haven’t been all kinds of attempts to hide
taxes, to rename taxes or to make promises about doing away with taxes. But
taxes are still with us and are just as certain as when old Ben wrote to his
friend in France.
Taxes did not originate in the New
World. Franklin could have expanded on taxes and said they were not only certain but they were almost as old as
humanity. Early in the history of civilization, taxes became a reality. Whoever
was in charge always found a way to make sure someone else paid for what they
wanted to happen.
So, it’s not surprising that the
enemies of Jesus used the subject of taxes to lure him into a trap. At least
that was their plan.
A trap by unnatural allies
The Pharisees and the Herodians were
not natural allies. The Herodians support
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