The Coin from a Fish
Matthew 17:24-27
Jesus Teaches About Paying Taxes
24 Jesus and his followers went to Capernaum.k There the men who collect the two-drachma Templel tax came to Peter and asked, “Does your teacher pay the Temple tax?”
25 Peter answered, “Yes, he does.”
Peter went into the house where Jesus was. Before Peter could speak, Jesus said to him, “The kings on the earth get different kinds of taxes from people. But who are those who pay the taxes? Are they the king’s children? Or do other people pay the taxes? What do you think?”
26 Peter answered, “The other people pay the taxes.”
Jesus said, “Then the children of the king don’t have to pay taxes.
27 But we don’t want to upset these tax collectors.m So do this: Go to the lake and fish. After you catch the first fish, open its mouth. Inside its mouth you will find a four-drachma coin. Take that coin and give it to the tax collectors. That will pay the tax for you and me.”
k 17: 24 Capernaum A town on the northern shore of Lake Galilee where Jesus often spent time and taught.
l 17:24 Temple The permanent building in Jerusalem that replaced the portable “Holy Tent” that was used by the Israelites from the time of their wandering in the desert to the reign of king Solomon, when the first Temple was built. Like the Holy Tent, the Temple was the center of Israelite worship, although provision was made for it to be “a house of prayer for all nations” (Isa. 56:7).
m 17:27 tax collector A Jew hired by the Romans to collect taxes. Tax collectors often cheated, and the other Jews hated them.