Matthew 17:24-27

Expanded Bible

Jesus Talks About Paying Taxes

²⁴ When ·Jesus and his followers [^Lthey] came to Capernaum, the men who collected the ·Temple tax [^Ltwo-drachma; ^Cthe annual tax paid to support the Temple (Ex. 30:13–16)] came to Peter. They asked, “Does your teacher pay the ·Temple tax [^Ltwo-drachma]?”

²⁵ Peter answered, “Yes.”

Peter went into the house, but before he could speak, Jesus said to him, “What do you think? From whom do the kings of the earth collect ·different kinds of taxes [tribute/tolls or taxes]—the king’s ·children [or own people/citizens] or ·others [or foreigners; ^Cperhaps tribute paid by defeated nations]?”

²⁶ Peter answered, “·Other people pay the taxes [^LFrom others].”

Jesus said to Peter, “Then the ·children [or people; citizens] of the king ·don’t have to pay taxes [are exempt/free]. ²⁷ But we don’t want to ·upset [offend] these tax collectors. So go to the lake and ·fish [throw out your hook]. After you catch the first fish, open its mouth and you will find a ·coin [shekel; ^CGreek: stater, worth four drachma, or two payments of the Temple tax]. Take that coin and give it to the tax collectors for you and me.”