"In effect, Jesus answers the Pharisees' and Herodians' question positively. But he avoids the trap set for him because taxes had to be paid in Roman coinage. Hence paying taxes is only giving back to the emperor what rightly belongs to him. By adding 'Give back to God what belongs to God', Jesus challenges them to meet their obligations to God as conscientiously as they meet their obligations to the State. No wonder the authorities want to do away with Jesus."