Matthew 17:24-27
Disciples’ Literal New Testament
Jesus Pays His Temple Tax With a Coin From a Fish He Sent Peter To Catch
24 And they having come to Capernaum, the ones[a] taking the double-drachmas[b] came to Peter and said, “Does not your teacher pay the double-drachmas?” 25 He says, “Yes”. And Peter having come into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, “What seems right to you, Simon— from whom do the kings of the earth take taxes[c] or a poll-tax[d], from their sons[e] or from the strangers?” 26 And Peter having said “From the strangers”, Jesus said to him, “Then indeed, the sons[f] are free! 27 But in order that we may not offend[g] them— having gone to the sea, cast a hook. And take the first fish having come up. And having opened its mouth, you will find a stater[h]. Having taken that, give it to them for Me and you”.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Matthew 17:24 These are Jews commissioned by the Temple, not the hated ‘tax collectors’.
- Matthew 17:24 This was the yearly half-shekel (equivalent to two drachmas, the silver double-drachma coin) temple tax required of all male Jews 20 to 50 years old throughout the world. One Greek drachma was equivalent to one Roman denarius (one day’s wage).
- Matthew 17:25 That is, local taxes.
- Matthew 17:25 That is, a tax paid to the Emperor, based on a census.
- Matthew 17:25 Does the king’s family pay taxes, or the families of his subjects?
- Matthew 17:26 That is, the sons of the Father, Jesus and the disciples, are exempt from their Father’s temple tax.
- Matthew 17:27 Or, cause them to fall.
- Matthew 17:27 This Greek silver coin was worth four drachmas, enough for both of them.
Disciples' Literal New Testament: Serving Modern Disciples by More Fully Reflecting the Writing Style of the Ancient Disciples, Copyright © 2011 Michael J. Magill. All Rights Reserved. Published by Reyma Publishing