THEN the Pharisees went away and agreed on a plan to trap him in argument. They sent some of their followers to him, together with members of Herod’s party. ‘Teacher,’ they said, ‘we know you are a sincere man; you teach in all sincerity the way of life that God requires, courting no man’s favour, whoever he may be. Give us your ruling on this: are we or are we not permitted to pay taxes to the Roman emperor?’ Jesus was aware of their malicious intention and said, ‘You hypocrites!