By Allen White
After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?”
“Yes, he does,” he replied.
When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?”
“From others,” Peter answered.
“Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said to him.
“But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.” Matthew 17:24-27
I can’t tell you the number of people over the years who very adamantly insisted that this account is not in the Bible. They think it’s made up. While this incident is only recorded in Matthew’s Gospel, it IS in the Bible. This was an important topic for Matthew, the tax collector. But, the situation is a bit far-fetched.
The temple tax was established by Moses to support the tabernacle (Exodus 30:11-16). Originally, this tax was imposed at a census of the people. In Jesus’ day, the tax was enforced annually. (For a complete explanation of this tax, go here.)
We don’t know that this was an annual conversation among the disciples and Jesus. This is the first and only time this issue appears.
Peter’s interaction with tax collectors and Jesus is typical Peter. When asked if Jesus paid the tax, Peter immediately said, “Yes!” Then, he has to go back and ask Jesus, “Do we pay the temple tax?”
Jesus could have cared less about the temple tax. After all, who did the temple point to? The correct answer is “Jesus.” Jesus was greater than the temple, its rituals and its sacrificial system. He came to fulfill all of that.
But, in order to avoid offense, Jesus told Peter to go and catch one fish with a line, not a net. Peter needed to look in the mouth of the first fish he caught and find four drachmas.
Why was the money in a fish’s mouth? Why didn’t Jesus tell Peter to look in the couch cushions or under a vending machine? Why did Jesus only provide for Peter and His own taxes? What about the other disciples? You’d think Matthew would be sensitive to this issue.
The bigger issue is why would Jesus even care about paying taxes? First, Jesus didn’t want to make offense. Secondly, Peter was now worried about taxes and doing the right thing. Jesus didn’t want Peter to worry about taxes. Lastly, Jesus knew Peter’s future. There were bigger things to worry about than silver or gold (Acts 3:6).
What Peter learned on this day was that a small miracle to provide the payment of an irrelevant tax would accumulate faith in Peter’s life. One day, he would need faith to perform miracles and speak before multitudes. He would need the right words in court. He would need faith to face persecution and eventually execution.
On this day, Peter didn’t need to do anything dramatic. He just needed to go and catch a fish. He knew how to do that. Peter did what he could do, and Jesus took care of the rest.
What are you concerned about today? Jesus cares about everything you care about – big or small. Nothing in your life is insignificant to God. Rather than assuming God doesn’t care about your situation, why not ask Him for His help today?
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