"Yes," he replied, and then went into the house. But before he spoke a word Jesus said, "What think you, Simon? From whom do this world's kings receive customs or capitation tax? from their own children, or from others?"

Give us your judgement therefore: is it allowable for us to pay a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?"

Or those eighteen on whom the tower at Siloam fell, do you suppose they had failed in their duty more than all the rest of the people who live in Jerusalem?

I speak as to men of sense: judge for yourselves of what I say.

A certain

He went on to say, "There was a man who had two sons.

Son

"So they went. Again about twelve, and about three o'clock, he went out and did the same.

It is like a man living abroad who has left his house, and given the management to his servants--to each one his special duty--and has ordered the porter to keep awake.

Therefore, my dear brethren, be firm, unmovable, busily occupied at all times in the Lord's work, knowing that your toil is not fruitless in the Lord.

General references

This led the Pharisees and Scribes of their party to expostulate with His disciples and ask, "Why are you eating and drinking with these tax-gatherers and notorious sinners?"

And I tell you that some now last will then be first, and some now first will then be last."

Now the tax-gatherers and the notorious sinners were everywhere in the habit of coming close to Him to listen to Him;