The only thing I can think of with his taxes angle is that he’s expressing the earthly reason why the Romans wanted to kill Jesus, and it fit into God’s plan of His Son dying for our sins and for our salvation. But I always thought that Jesus was killed by the Romans because they feared Him as He was proclaiming that He was a king, and the Roman king felt threatened.
When I read through the Gospels one of the things that really stands out to me is what seems like a complete sense of detachment by Pontius Pilate in his conversation with Christ. It's like he just got out of bed that morning and did his job like he did any other day.
murron: “But I always thought that Jesus was killed by the Romans because they feared Him as He was proclaiming that He was a king, and the Roman king felt threatened.”
Pontius Pilate was Roman governor of Judea. Pilate’s wife dreamed that Jesus was an innocent and righteous man and sent a message to Pilate to have Jesus released. If Pilate feared anything about Christ, it was fear of executing Him.
Here’s the relevant scripture:
Matthew 27:11-26
“11 Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor questioned Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” And Jesus said to him, “It is as you say.” 12 And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He did not answer. 13 Then Pilate *said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?” 14 And He did not answer him with regard to even a single [e]charge, so the governor was quite amazed.
15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the [f]people any one prisoner whom they wanted. 16 At that time they were holding a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. 17 So when the people gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew that because of envy they had handed Him over.
19 While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him a message, saying, “Have nothing to do with that righteous Man; for [g]last night I suffered greatly in a dream because of Him.” 20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to put Jesus to death. 21 But the governor [h]said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” 22 Pilate *said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all *said, “[i]Crucify Him!” 23 And he said, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they kept shouting all the more, saying, “[j]Crucify Him!”
24 When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that a riot was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this Man’s blood; see to that yourselves.” 25 And all the people said, “His blood shall be on us and on our children!” 26 Then he released Barabbas [k]for them; but after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified.”
Christ represented zero threat to Pilate’s secular power or authority.