Page 507 - Bible History

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480 CHRIST REDEEMS THE WORLD
dost Thou these things, and who hath given Thee this authority?" Jesus answered, "I will also ask you one word, and if you answer Me, I will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, was it from Heaven or from men?''
But they said to themselves, "If we shall say from Heaven, He will say to us, 'Why, then, did you not believe him?' but if we shall say from men, we are afraid of the people, for they held John to be a prophet, and they will stone us.'' So they answered that they knew not whence it was. Then Jesus said to them, "Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.''
Having tried in vain to prove our Lord guilty of some sin against the Law of Moses, the enemies of our blessed Savior now adopted another course. If they could lead Him to say something against the Roman government, they would be able to go before the Ro­ man governor and accuse Him of treason. They called in some of the members of King Herod's court and, after discussing the matter with them, they sent spies to Jesus to try to ensnare Him in His speech. Pre­ tending that they were sincere Jews and were worried because they did not know whether or not it was sinful to pay tribute to the Roman emperor, they came to Jesus and said, "Master, we know that Thou art a true speaker, and carest not for any man; For Thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth. Tell us, therefore, what dost thou think. Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar or not1"
But Jesus knew what was in their minds and was