The Son of God Payed His Taxes
Matthew 17:24-27 | Study Guide
Read The Passage: Matthew 17:24-27
24 When they came to Capernaum, those who collected the temple tax approached Peter and said, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?”
25 “Yes,” he said.
When he went into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do earthly kings collect tariffs or taxes? From their sons or from strangers?”
26 “From strangers,” he said.
“Then the sons are free,” Jesus told him. 27 “But, so we won’t offend them, go to the sea, cast in a fishhook, and take the first fish that you catch. When you open its mouth you’ll find a coin. Take it and give it to them for me and you.”
25 “Yes,” he said.
When he went into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do earthly kings collect tariffs or taxes? From their sons or from strangers?”
26 “From strangers,” he said.
“Then the sons are free,” Jesus told him. 27 “But, so we won’t offend them, go to the sea, cast in a fishhook, and take the first fish that you catch. When you open its mouth you’ll find a coin. Take it and give it to them for me and you.”
Study Guide
We see at the end of the chapter that Jesus, when given the option to NOT pay a customary temple tax, chooses to anyway, only his method in doing so was nothing short of supernatural. What's with this interaction? What can we learn about Jesus' approach to very "earthly" customs vs. his divine authority?
Take some time to read the passage, then read through the study guide. What is God teaching you? Consider sharing with a friend or your Group if something hits you!
Take some time to read the passage, then read through the study guide. What is God teaching you? Consider sharing with a friend or your Group if something hits you!
1. Free From Obligation.
Jesus' disciples are confronted with a question: "Does your teacher pay the customary temple tax EVERY Jewish man is obligated to pay?" (paraphrase for context). This was a question, like many others the religious leaders would pose, to trap Jesus and those who followed him. Peter confirms with a "Yes," (vs. 25) however, Jesus -- being a rabbi -- was under no such obligation (as teachers were exempt). Additionally, he was/is the Son of God! Hence his leading illustration he offers Peter:
“When he went into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, ‘What do you think, Simon? From whom do earthly kings collect tariffs or taxes? From their sons or from strangers?’ … ‘Then the sons are free,’ Jesus told him.” // Matthew 17:25b–26 (CSB)
This passage reminds us that as children of Heaven's King, we are set ultimately apart. Jesus’ response shows that His divine identity frees Him from the obligations imposed by worldly systems. Our identity in Christ means we no longer live under the constraints of the old covenant either. One author clarifies this by stating, “No ruler taxes his own family. But this is God’s tax, so God’s Son is not obliged to pay it.” -- R.T. France
Yet, Jesus pays the tax anyway. Why? We'll explore this in point #2.
In the meantime, consider this: Reflect on how understanding your identity as a child of God frees you from old obligations. In what ways can you live out this freedom while still engaging lovingly with the world around you?
“When he went into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, ‘What do you think, Simon? From whom do earthly kings collect tariffs or taxes? From their sons or from strangers?’ … ‘Then the sons are free,’ Jesus told him.” // Matthew 17:25b–26 (CSB)
This passage reminds us that as children of Heaven's King, we are set ultimately apart. Jesus’ response shows that His divine identity frees Him from the obligations imposed by worldly systems. Our identity in Christ means we no longer live under the constraints of the old covenant either. One author clarifies this by stating, “No ruler taxes his own family. But this is God’s tax, so God’s Son is not obliged to pay it.” -- R.T. France
Yet, Jesus pays the tax anyway. Why? We'll explore this in point #2.
In the meantime, consider this: Reflect on how understanding your identity as a child of God frees you from old obligations. In what ways can you live out this freedom while still engaging lovingly with the world around you?
2. Greater Than The Temple, Yet A Taxpayer Nonetheless
Jesus, though exempt, chooses to pay a customary temple tax—not to affirm a legal right but to avoid causing offense.
“But, so we won’t offend them, go to the sea, cast in a fishhook, and take the first fish that you catch. When you open its mouth you’ll find a coin. Take it and give it to them for me and you.” // Matthew 17:27 (CSB)
Set the fish part aside for a moment, and consider these words alone: "so we won’t offend them."
Jesus never seemed too worried about offending people, did he? Well, at least not in the moments it mattered. This situation, however, was not one of them. Whether to honor a religious custom or not was NOT worth splitting hairs over for Jesus. After all, he was still trying to get his message out! A classic case of choosing one's battles wisely.
This act challenges us to consider the priority of love over legalistic claims, emphasizing that our witness shouldn't be squandered over trivial issues. As David Platt writes in his commentary, “Jesus is greater than the temple, yet He still pays the tax.” -- David Platt
If this is true (and it is), then there may be situations in which we as citizens of earth (for now) should honor certain obligations as to not needlessly offend others. However, we should never adhere to any principle, guideline, or obligation that would cause us to sin or disobey one of God's existing commands.
Consider a situation where your rights or privileges might be used to create division. How can you, like Jesus, choose to act out of love and sacrifice for the sake of unity in your community? (Trigger warning: be careful not to oversimplify complex issues *cough cough* rather, make it personal to YOU and your own conviction).
“But, so we won’t offend them, go to the sea, cast in a fishhook, and take the first fish that you catch. When you open its mouth you’ll find a coin. Take it and give it to them for me and you.” // Matthew 17:27 (CSB)
Set the fish part aside for a moment, and consider these words alone: "so we won’t offend them."
Jesus never seemed too worried about offending people, did he? Well, at least not in the moments it mattered. This situation, however, was not one of them. Whether to honor a religious custom or not was NOT worth splitting hairs over for Jesus. After all, he was still trying to get his message out! A classic case of choosing one's battles wisely.
This act challenges us to consider the priority of love over legalistic claims, emphasizing that our witness shouldn't be squandered over trivial issues. As David Platt writes in his commentary, “Jesus is greater than the temple, yet He still pays the tax.” -- David Platt
If this is true (and it is), then there may be situations in which we as citizens of earth (for now) should honor certain obligations as to not needlessly offend others. However, we should never adhere to any principle, guideline, or obligation that would cause us to sin or disobey one of God's existing commands.
Consider a situation where your rights or privileges might be used to create division. How can you, like Jesus, choose to act out of love and sacrifice for the sake of unity in your community? (Trigger warning: be careful not to oversimplify complex issues *cough cough* rather, make it personal to YOU and your own conviction).
3. God Provides...then and now.
OK, let's talk about that fish.
“But, so we won’t offend them, go to the sea, cast in a fishhook, and take the first fish that you catch. When you open its mouth you’ll find a coin. Take it and give it to them for me and you.” // Matthew 17:27 CSB
Consider how Jesus takes a mundane, very human task and provides a supernatural solution. By providing miraculously for both he and Peter via a fish's mouth, we see Jesus showing that you can both love your neighbor AND trust God for the miraculous. You can fulfill an obligation AND creatively worship God. You can stick to your values AND honor those around you. And most of all, you can trust that God is provider, the ruler over all of creation, and interested in supplying for even our most menial needs.
Believe it or not, this act in and of itself is a beautiful foreshadow of the ultimate price Jesus would pay for those who love him. David Guzik connects the dots on the Gospel well from this abstract moment: :"Yet He did pay for Peter; as a foreshadow of the work of redemption for all men. Jesus, who did not actually owe the price, paid it nevertheless – and at the same time, with the same price, paid for Peter as well." -- David Guzik
Consider how God has provided for you in some practial way in your life. Now, aim a little higher. Consider the price he paid for you on the cross! Take a moment to pray, to worship, and to thank him for seeing you -- here and now -- this side of that incredible sacrifice.
“But, so we won’t offend them, go to the sea, cast in a fishhook, and take the first fish that you catch. When you open its mouth you’ll find a coin. Take it and give it to them for me and you.” // Matthew 17:27 CSB
Consider how Jesus takes a mundane, very human task and provides a supernatural solution. By providing miraculously for both he and Peter via a fish's mouth, we see Jesus showing that you can both love your neighbor AND trust God for the miraculous. You can fulfill an obligation AND creatively worship God. You can stick to your values AND honor those around you. And most of all, you can trust that God is provider, the ruler over all of creation, and interested in supplying for even our most menial needs.
Believe it or not, this act in and of itself is a beautiful foreshadow of the ultimate price Jesus would pay for those who love him. David Guzik connects the dots on the Gospel well from this abstract moment: :"Yet He did pay for Peter; as a foreshadow of the work of redemption for all men. Jesus, who did not actually owe the price, paid it nevertheless – and at the same time, with the same price, paid for Peter as well." -- David Guzik
Consider how God has provided for you in some practial way in your life. Now, aim a little higher. Consider the price he paid for you on the cross! Take a moment to pray, to worship, and to thank him for seeing you -- here and now -- this side of that incredible sacrifice.
Prayer:
Take time to pray individually or with the people in your group.