Matthew 14:1-12
Herod Antipas’ False Assumption
Matthew 14:13-21
Steps to Problem Solving
Matthew 14:22-36
The Storms of Life
Matthew 15:1-9
The Teaching of Ancestors
Matthew 15:10-20
What Really Makes People Unclean
Matthew 15:21-28
A Canaanite Women With Great Faith
Matthew 15:29-39
Feeding The Four Thousand
Matthew 16:1-12
The Religious Leader’s Demand
Matthew 16:13-20
Peter’s Confession
Matthew 16:21-28
Surrender to The Cross
Matthew 17:1-13
The Transfiguration
Matthew 17:14-23
Healing of The Epileptic Son
Matthew 17:24-27
Jesus Pays The Temple Tax
Matthew 18:1-9
The Need For Humility
Matthew 18:10-14
New Babes in Christ
Matthew 18:15-20
The Biblical Principles For Church Discipline
Matthew 18:21-35
How Many Times Should We Forgive?
Matthew 19:1-8
Is Divorce Permissable?
Matthew 19:9-15
Divorce and Adultery
Matthew 19:16-30
The Rich Young Ruler
Matthew 20:1-16
A Right Attitude in Service
Jesus Pays The Temple Tax
Matthew 17:24–27
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)
In a newly created nation in Africa, an elderly native was told that he was going to be taxed to support the government. “Why?” he asked. “To protect you from enemies, to feed you when you are hungry, to care for you when you are sick, and to educate your children, … More
When Jesus and His disciples arrived back at Capernaum, the tax collectors were waiting for them (v. 24). Every Jew 20 years or more of age was required to pay a temple tax of half a shekel (Exodus 20:13-24). Apparently Peter and Jesus had not yet paid their tax for that year. It seems that as the tax collectors confronted Peter they may have been implying that since they had not paid their taxes they were not keeping the law. Some commentators imply that Peter was asked if Jesus had paid his taxes and when he dogmatically replied yes he lied. The text actually says, “Does your Teacher not pay the temple tax?” Peter responded that the Lord would pay the tax.
Before Peter could share this matter with the Lord, He had read his thoughts and had asked if kings collect taxes from their own children (v. 25). Peter replied that kings do not collect taxes from family members because they are exempt. By implication He was saying that as the Son of God He did not need to pay taxes for the support of His Father’s house. It also infers that His disciples, as sons of the kingdom, should be free from such taxes (v. 26). Freedom is one of the greatest gifts Jesus has bestowed on us. Paul says, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not get entangled again with a yoke of bondage” (Gal. 5:1).
However, Jesus did not want to offend or seem to be guilty of disrespect for God’s house so he arranges for payment (v. 27). He tells Peter to do something that he really enjoys doing and that is fishing. He also instructs Peter that as he throws out his line there will be a special fish that will bite the hook. When he draws it in, it will have a coin in its mouth that is the exact amount needed to pay the tax for both Himself and Peter.
Application
Technically Jesus did not have to pay the tax; but for practical reasons, He paid it. As a Christian, I must never use my freedom in Christ to hurt my testimony or diminish my influence with others.
Matthew 17:24-27 (English Standard Version)
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