In Capernaum. Jesus Gives Tribute Money. Matthew 17:24-27

Transcription

1 1 In Capernaum Matthew 17:24-27

2 2 Text: Matthew 17:24-27, And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? Of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? Of their own children, or of strangers? Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea; and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee. Commentary: I. While still in Capernaum certain tax collectors asked Peter if Jesus paid taxes. A. In different versions this tax is variously called half-shekel and two drachma tax. B. This was a Jewish poll tax levied yearly for the support of the temple. C. If Christ paid the tax his enemies may have had an occasion to claim Jesus was nothing special, just an ordinary citizen. Rabbis were exempt from paying this tax. D. To have refused to pay the tax would have given rise to the charge that Jesus was technically a law breaker.

3 3 E. The tax was essentially voluntary. For centuries no enforcement and no fines were levied for non-compliance. F. Beginning in the time of Christ mild penalties were posted for non-compliance but were rarely enforced. II. Peter answered that Jesus did indeed pay the temple tax (for the support of his Father s house). III. When Jesus and the disciples came into a house, Jesus asked Peter: A. What do you think? What is your opinion, Simon (Peter)? B. Do kings receive toll/tax/duty from their sons or from strangers/others? C. Peter answered that king s collected taxes from strangers, not their sons. D. Jesus said that the sons were, therefore, exempt from the tax. E. Jesus question to Peter showed that Jesus knew what had happened. F. Peter may have been unaware of the implications of the question, Does your Master pay the temple tax? G. Jesus evidently paid the tax not because he was obligated to do so, but voluntarily, out of a spirit of good will, to support his Father s house.

4 4 H. Jesus was Son of God, the king of heaven and, therefore, exempt from the tax. IV. To avoid causing his critics to be offended/to stumble Jesus gave Peter some very unusual instructions as to how to get money with which to pay the tax. A. Cast a hook into the sea (of Galilee) and look in the mouth of the first fish you catch. B. That fish would have a shekel/a four drachma coin in its mouth. C. Peter was to take this coin and pay the temple tax for himself and for Jesus. V. Questions: A. How nice it would be if our taxes were optional! Would you pay taxes if they were optional? B. How would you like to be able to go fishing and catch enough money to pay your taxes? C. Jesus made arrangements for Peter s and his own taxes. What about the taxes owed by the other apostles?

5 5 Questions 1. Jesus entourage came to. Those who received came to and asked, Doesn t your pay? Peter answered,. 2. Jesus asked Peter, Of whom do the of the take or? Of their own, or of? Peter answered, Of, Jesus said, Then the are. 3. In order not to offend, even though he didn t really owe tribute, Jesus told Peter to pay the tax. Where did Peter get the money with which to pay the tax? 4. This tribute was a levied for the support of the. 5. Jesus made arrangements to pay his taxes and Peter s taxes. Who paid the taxes for the other apostles or were those taxes left unpaid?