Does Jesus expect his followers to submit to all the demands of oppressors?

When Jesus gave his sermon, the people of Israel were subject to Roman rule. They did not have the freedom to implement all the old covenant laws as they would have desired, and they did not live in a theocracy where a king of the line of David was in power. Some Jewish Zealots also advocated for armed rebellion. ¹ This is the context in which Jesus encourages his people to treat civil authority, even pagan civil authority, with respect (Romans 13:1–7). Kingdom citizens are not rebels who seek to kill and overthrow civil rulers. They are good subjects who seek to do good to everyone, also to those who are in authority over them. This does not mean that kingdom citizens must always submit to evil, or that they cannot oppose injustice. Jesus himself spoke up against oppressors (Matthew 23:1–39) and there are various old covenant laws that encourage the pursuit of justice in society (Micah 6:8; Isaiah 1:17; Proverbs 29:7; Leviticus 19:15). ² The principle remains: kingdom citizens must do good to all people. When working for, and promoting justice in society, our own honour must not be the driving purpose and aim. ³