Peter and His Master Pay Their Taxes

24 (A)When they had come to [a]Capernaum, those who received the [b]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 (B)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 [c]piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.”

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 17:24 NU Capharnaum, here and elsewhere
  2. Matthew 17:24 Lit. double drachma
  3. Matthew 17:27 Gr. stater, the exact temple tax for two

The Tribute Money

24 When they arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the [a]half-shekel [temple tax] went up to Peter and said, “Does not your teacher pay the half-shekel?”(A) 25 Peter answered, “Yes.” And when he came home, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do earthly rulers collect duties or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?” 26 When Peter said, “From strangers,” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are exempt [from taxation]. 27 However, so that we do not offend them, go to the sea and throw in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a shekel. Take it and give it to them [to pay the temple tax] for you and Me.”

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 17:24 Equivalent to two denarii or two days’ wages.

The Temple Tax

24 Now when they came to Capernaum, those who collected (A)the [a]two-drachma tax came to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay (B)the [b]two-drachma tax?” 25 He *said, “Yes.” And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth collect (C)customs or [c](D)poll-tax, from their sons or from strangers?” 26 When Peter said, “From strangers,” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are [d]exempt. 27 However, so that we do not (E)offend them, go to the sea and throw in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a [e]stater. Take that and give it to them for you and Me.”

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 17:24 Equivalent to about two denarii or two days’ wages for a laborer, paid as a temple tax
  2. Matthew 17:24 Equivalent to about two denarii or two days’ wages for a laborer, paid as a temple tax
  3. Matthew 17:25 I.e., a tax on each person in the census
  4. Matthew 17:26 Lit free
  5. Matthew 17:27 A silver four-drachma Greek coin

24 And they having come to Capernaum, those receiving the didrachms came near to Peter, and said, `Your teacher -- doth he not pay the didrachms?' He saith, `Yes.'

25 And when he came into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, `What thinkest thou, Simon? the kings of the earth -- from whom do they receive custom or poll-tax? from their sons or from the strangers?'

26 Peter saith to him, `From the strangers.' Jesus said to him, `Then are the sons free;

27 but, that we may not cause them to stumble, having gone to the sea, cast a hook, and the fish that hath come up first take thou up, and having opened its mouth, thou shalt find a stater, that having taken, give to them for me and thee.'

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24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?

25 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?

26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.

27 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.

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