12:17 Render to Caesar. Jesus takes the occasion to affirm that Rome’s political power is legitimate, as at His trial He declares that it is from God (John 19:11). The early church followed this teaching of Jesus (Rom. 13:1–7; Col. 1:16; 1 Tim. 2:1–6; Titus 3:1, 2; 1 Pet. 2:13–17).