The Pharisees and Sadducees were furious at Jesus for cleansing the Temple.  Normally at odds with each other, they conspired to trap Him in His words, and they thought their question about paying taxes to Ceasar was the perfect scenario to corner Him. Certain He would not deny the law of Moses, they would be able to take Him to Pilate, the Roman governor, for tax evasion. Until He said, "Show me the money!"