Matthew 17:24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?
It was the letter of the law that some of the scribes were apparently referring to when they asked Peter whether Christ paid the temple tax. The truth of the matter is that the priests were exempt from such a requirement, but the religious leaders being blinded by zealousness for the letter, overlooked the fact that Christ was indeed greater than any earthly priest who had ever lived.
Again, it was the letter of the law that was appealed to, when the woman was caught in adultery, in the very act, as they stated, and the matter was brought to Jesus for redress. How on earth folks could catch only one person in adultery is a mystery beyond our fathoming since it would take at least two persons, in order to commit adultery. However, they pointed to the letter of the law which required such to be stoned.
Therefore, in order to lay a proper foundation for the study, we must first seek to understand Christ’s relation to the law. God is the great Law-giver, He is The one who makes not only spiritual law, but also physical law, and therefore, God is not restricted to law as created beings are, but instead, is above all law.
John 8:4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? 6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!