Matthew 17:22-27

Common English Bible

Second prediction of Jesus’ death and resurrection

²² When the disciples came together in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Human One^[a] is about to be delivered over into human hands. ²³ They will kill him. But he will be raised on the third day.” And they were heartbroken.

Paying the temple tax

²⁴ When they came to Capernaum, the people who collected the half-shekel temple tax came to Peter and said, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?”

²⁵ “Yes,” he said.

But when they came into the house, Jesus spoke to Peter first.“What do you think, Simon? From whom do earthly kings collect taxes, from their children or from strangers?”

²⁶ “From strangers,” he said.

Jesus said to him, “Then the children don’t have to pay. ²⁷ But just so we don’t offend them, go to the lake, throw out a fishing line and hook, and take the first fish you catch. When you open its mouth, you will find a shekel coin. Take it and pay the tax for both of us.”