Fishing For Drachmas

Q. This site is more of a blessing to me each day. God bless you.

Re: Matt 17:24-27. What is Jesus saying when he implies to Peter that foreigners must pay the tax and that the subjects are exempt? Does this have to do with being exempt from paying the penalty of sin or is there more to it, such as gov’t taxing schemes?

A. My translation reads a little differently. In Matt. 17:24-27 the tax collectors had asked Peter if his teacher was going to pay the Temple tax. When Peter went to ask Jesus about this he got a question instead of an answer.

“From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own sons or from others?” When Peter answered, “From others,” Jesus said.”Then the sons are exempt.”

The Lord’s point was that since the Temple was part of His Father’s Kingdom then Jesus, as His Son, was exempt from the tax. Since Peter was a believer he had been adopted into the Lord’s family and was also exempt.

But to avoid causing trouble with the officials, He had Peter go fishing. He told Peter that the first fish he caught would have a coin in its mouth sufficient to pay the tax for both of them.

His point didn’t have anything to do with either sin or taxes. It was to show whose kingdom this really is, and the incredible benefits that accrue to those who choose to become members of God’s forever family. One of those benefits is that the Lord will provide for our needs as they arise. We just need enough faith to “go fishing.”