“‘A. D. 30, Rome was master of Jerusalem; the city had a Roman governor, but the Sanhedrin ruled the temple, which to the Jew was the seat of government; and Rome was too wise to interfere with the religions of her conquered people. “‘The priesthood discover that the glory of the temple is being eclipsed; that their religious domination is being questioned; and by whom? A Nazarene—the son of a carpenter—a mere upstart; who claims to be and is beginning to be acclaimed the Messiah. “‘At a most inopportune time, when the city is filled with Jews from every corner of the civilized world, he enters as a king and multitudes going before cry: ‘Hosanna to the Son of David.’ When business is best he cleanses the temple and curtails revenues; and even now stands before the multitude and by forceful parables which all understand, condemn their organization and question their authority; they, the fathers of the church, the real head of the nation. “‘Something must be done and speedily. The Sanhedrin is hastily called in executive session to sit in judgment—to pass sentence of death. “‘Annas, feeble, old, hard, proud, resentful of Roman power and secret head of and real ruler of the Theocracy, says: “But we have not the power to put him to death.” “‘His son-in-law, Caiaphas, he who plays the part of sycophant to Pilate, and is supposed by the Governor to be the High Priest, answers: “We will make Rome our instrument; we will expose him as a revolutionist and as guilty of sedition and Pilate will crucify him.” And so Christ of a truth in that day was a revolutionist, but of character not of government. “‘As they sat discussing means towards this end, the doorkeeper reported that certain Herodians were without and desired to speak with Caiaphas. “‘“What can these Romanized Jews, these members of the Court Party, these worshippers of expediency, who say that it is lawful to pay tribute to Caesar, wish with me? or of us? We are patriots and devotees of our Theocracy. We despise Rome and Roman power and in loathing and with curses and in resentment, pay a head tax to Caesar. * * * Ah! I have the plan! We will send certain of our lesser priests with the Herodians to this teacher of false doctrine and have them say: ‘Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth; neither carest thou for any man, for thou regarded not the person of men. Tell us therefore what thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar or not?’ And this Jesus swallowing our bait of flattery, let as hope shall answer: ‘It is not lawful;’ then these limbs of Satan, the Herodians, will report him to Pilate. If he answers: ‘It is lawful,’ it will not be so bad for our cause; since we will spread his answer among our people, who will no longer listen to his teachings, knowing he is not in truth a Jew. He perforce must answer the one or the other way.”