Luke 23:2

Perverting the nation; exciting the people to rebel against the Roman government.

Give tribute; pay taxes. The accusation which the Jews brought against Jesus before Pilate was not that of blasphemy in claiming to be the Son of God, for which their council had condemned him. Matthew 26:65; it was that of treason against the Roman government. His claiming to be the Son of God was no crime in a Roman court. They could not induce Pilate for this to put him to death. They therefore invented another accusation, and sought false witnesses to support it. So that while they condemned him for what was no crime, they sought to have Pilate condemn him for a crime which he never committed. Justly did he who knew what was in them, say, "Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? Matthew 23:33.