Matthew 17:24-27

New Living Translation

Payment of the Temple Tax

²⁴ On their arrival in Capernaum, the collectors of the Temple tax^[a] came to Peter and asked him, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the Temple tax?”

²⁵ “Yes, he does,” Peter replied. Then he went into the house.

But before he had a chance to speak, Jesus asked him, “What do you think, Peter?^[b] Do kings tax their own people or the people they have conquered?^[c]”

²⁶ “They tax the people they have conquered,” Peter replied.

“Well, then,” Jesus said, “the citizens are free! ²⁷ However, we don’t want to offend them, so go down to the lake and throw in a line. Open the mouth of the first fish you catch, and you will find a large silver coin.^[d] Take it and pay the tax for both of us.”