Mark 12:13-17
Paying Taxes
(Matthew 22.15-22; Luke 20.20-26)
13The Pharisees got together with Herod's followers. [a] Then they sent some men to trick Jesus into saying something wrong. 14They went to him and said, "Teacher, we know that you are honest. You treat everyone with the same respect, no matter who they are. And you teach the truth about what God wants people to do. Tell us, should we pay taxes to the Emperor or not?" 
15Jesus knew what they were up to, and he said, "Why are you trying to test me? Show me a coin!" 

16They brought him a silver coin, and he asked, "Whose picture and name are on it?" 

"The Emperor's," they answered. 

17Then Jesus told them, "Give the Emperor what belongs to him and give God what belongs to God." The men were amazed at Jesus. 



Footnotes:

a Mark 12:13 Herod's followers: People who were political followers of the family of Herod the Great and his son Herod Antipas. 

Romans 13:1-7
Obey Rulers
1Obey the rulers who have authority over you. Only God can give authority to anyone, and he puts these rulers in their places of power. 2People who oppose the authorities are opposing what God has done, and they will be punished. 3Rulers are a threat to evil people, not to good people. There is no need to be afraid of the authorities. Just do right, and they will praise you for it. 4After all, they are God's servants, and it is their duty to help you. 
If you do something wrong, you ought to be afraid, because these rulers have the right to punish you. They are God's servants who punish criminals to show how angry God is. 5But you should obey the rulers because you know it is the right thing to do, and not just because of God's anger. 

6You must also pay your taxes. The authorities are God's servants, and it is their duty to take care of these matters. 7Pay all that you owe, whether it is taxes and fees or respect and honor. 

Titus 3:1-2
Doing Helpful Things
1Remind your people to obey the rulers and authorities and not to be rebellious. They must always be ready to do something helpful 2and not say cruel things or argue. They should be gentle and kind to everyone. 

1 Peter 2:13-17
13The Lord wants you to obey all human authorities, especially the Emperor, who rules over everyone. 14You must also obey governors, because they are sent by the Emperor to punish criminals and to praise good citizens. 15God wants you to silence stupid and ignorant people by doing right. 16You are free, but still you are God's servants, and you must not use your freedom as an excuse for doing wrong. 17Respect everyone and show special love for God's people. Honor God and respect the Emperor.