[RedBloodedAmerican]

When the authorities do that which is evil, we are under no obligation to render them our obedience

Really? Where do you read that in there?

And, I wonder what godly crime did Jesus commit that he was crucified for? Or were the disciples wrong for letting him be led away? Seems I recall one of them tried to stop the guards from taking Him, and he was rebuked.

[quack]

Really? Where do you read that in there?

The adulteress who was being stoned to death comes to mind.It was the law that she be stoned to death,yet Jesus rescued her from that fate.

[goldstategop]

The text speaks of authorities instituted by God for human benefit. It means then a government must act in accordance with certain moral norms. We owe it our loyalty. The contrary does not follow.

The Gospels transformed the crime the Romans committed into an act of martyrdom for Christians. It does not mean the Romans were in the right. Jesus suffered horribly for it and in the end good came of it. In the short term, evil can win but in the long run of history, what will happen is God's kingdom will be established here, on Earth.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)