Matthew 17:24-27

 No detail of our life goes unnoticed. I had just finished the final details of Mom’s taxes when He led me to this passage in Scripture. I love how He works this way!!

Thank you for loving me, help me to love others in the same way!

Matthew 17:24-27

24 When they had come to Capernaum, those who received the temple tax came to Peter and said, “Does your Teacher not pay the temple tax?”

25 He said, “Yes.”

And when he had come into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?”

26 Peter said to Him, “From strangers.”

Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free. 27 Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.”

Unique to Matthew’s Gospel, this passage addresses whether Jewish followers of Jesus’ day should continue to pay the temple tax. This was particularly relevant to Matthew’s audience, since they were most likely Jews. Jesus’ response not only communicates the continued sanctity of the temple, but also demonstrates the miraculous ways in which God provides for His people.

Every Jewish man 20 years and older was required to pay the temple tax, which was used for the general maintenance of the temple. Priests (Levites) were exempt, and by Jesus’ time some rabbis were as well. 

This section is particularly significant if Matthew’s Gospel was compiled and circulated after ad 70. After the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and its temple in ad 70, they continued to enforce the temple tax. However, rather than use the funds to maintain the Jewish religious centers, the Romans used them for the temple of Jupiter Capitolinus. In doing so, they punished the Jews for their revolt. Matthew could have included this passage for the sake of his Jewish audience, who probably struggled with the idea of paying taxes for a pagan temple. Matthew might be advising his readers to pay the tax out of respect for their overlords instead of enlisting further reprisals from Rome. In doing so, they also would maintain a good testimony among their neighbors. Jesus gives instructions that allow Peter to pay the tax voluntarily, to avoid offending the authorities. Faithlife Bible.

The temple tax was a tax given annually by every adult Jewish male over 20 years of age for maintaining the temple. This tax amounted to two day’s wages for a common laborer. Evidently Jesus had not yet paid the tax, and the temple tax collector was following up on it. Peter, desiring to maintain the best reputation and also assuming the best of his Master, replied to the tax collector that Jesus had paid the temple tax. Anticipated implies that Peter was about to speak, evidently about the matter of Christ paying the temple tax, when Jesus spoke first. Their sons may refer to citizens of a country as opposed to conquered peoples or strangers. However, citizens often pay customs and taxes. More likely the contrast is between the imperial family and the common people. NKJ Bible.