As a non-academic non-christian (so what I write isn't worth anything, yet still I write) my interpretation was that money was subject to the law of man, but that money was inconsequential compared to the soul, which was the purview of god.

[–] DragonTypeWyvern@literature.cafe 1 points 1 year ago

That is certainly the interpretation the European aristocracy favored and spread through their capture of the priesthood when it became fashionable to send spare heirs into the clergy, in addition to the implications of general fealty.

How tragic it is that this bit of snark towards some spies came to mean you do everything your lord demands in this life while hoping for better in the next.

Well, it probably wasn't a real quote, but still. It does reveal the primary concern the Romans had with Christ, "Is this guy trying to raise a rebellion? And, most importantly, stop paying us?"