For those willing to look at the text without the empire’s filter.

Jesus is a God Absolutist. He recognizes zero legitimate human authority above the Father. He never submits except when the Father commands it. He never pays taxes. He mocks every earthly system — temple and empire alike — and orchestrates His own crucifixion to expose the absurdity and illegitimacy of all human rule. Human governments are at best devil-permitted and at worst devil-controlled. The Bible veils this truth for survival under empire, which is why it requires “eyes to see.”