[2devnull]

True but he was martyred by the state. This is the core of Christian faith. God was put to death by an unjust government. It was Christ’s threat to state power that earned the execution. And tax collectors, even the disciple Matthew, were widely considered sinners during his day. The orientation people have to government power is much different before and after Christ. Political liberalism, individual freedom and many other things we take for granted are the direct result Christianity. But yes, “render unto Caesar what’s Caesar’s”

[Isamu]

The Roman Governor famously found nothing wrong with Jesus, that is to say nothing threatening to Rome, and washed his hands symbolically to say Jesus is dying because of the demand of the crowd and the religious authorities. He was dangerous to religious order, not secular order.

[jcranmer]

> True but he was martyred by the state. This is the core of Christian faith. God was put to death by an unjust government. It was Christ’s threat to state power that earned the execution.

Actually, the Gospels make clear that Pilate found Jesus not guilty, and it was only the threat of a riot by the priests if he didn't crucify Jesus that he crucified him. It's still ultimately the religious authorities who order his death, and in this case, the state is at best acting as a tool of the religious authorities rather than in its own secular authority.