A NUMBER of Pharisees and men of Herod’s party were sent to trap him with a question. They came and said, ‘Teacher, we know you are a sincere man and court no one’s favour, whoever he may be; you teach in all sincerity the way of life that God requires. Are we or are we not permitted to pay taxes to the Roman emperor? Shall we pay or not?’ He saw through their duplicity, and said, ‘Why are you trying to catch me out? Fetch me a silver piece, and let me look at it.’ They brought