When a tax collector asks what he must do to be
righteous:
Most of the Jews probably
expected John to say, “Stop collecting money for the defiled Roman
government. Do not burden the people beyond their tithes to God and his
Temple.”
But John publicly
proclaimed, “Collect no more than is appointed you.”
This implies that the
appointed amount is legitimate and proper.
When a soldier asks what he must do to be righteous:
Most of the Jews probably
expected John to say, “Do not serve the defiled Roman armies. Provide
service to God and his chosen people. Israel is the land God has
promised to his people. Do the will of God and throw off the bonds of
Roman occupation.”
But John publicly
proclaimed, “Rob no one by violence or by false accusation, and be content
with you wages.”
Having soldiers be
content with their wages has obvious advantages to Rome.
In a stretch, the spoils
of war had always been benefits meant for Roman soldiers and not for their
foreign counterparts.
John publicly instructed two infamous occupations in
ways conducive to Roman rule.
