Matthew 17:22-18:6

New International Version

Jesus Predicts His Death a Second Time

²² When they came together in Galilee, he said to them, “The Son of Man^(A) is going to be delivered into the hands of men. ²³ They will kill him,^(B) and on the third day^(C) he will be raised to life.”^(D) And the disciples were filled with grief.

The Temple Tax

²⁴ After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax^(E) came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?”

²⁵ “Yes, he does,” he replied.

When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes^(F)—from their own children or from others?”

²⁶ “From others,” Peter answered.

“Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said to him. ²⁷ “But so that we may not cause offense,^(G) go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”

The Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven^(H)

18 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

² He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. ³ And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children,^(I) you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.^{(J) 4} Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.^{(K) 5} And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.^(L)

Causing to Stumble

⁶ “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.^(M)