Matthew 17:24-27
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Paying the Temple Tax
24 When they came to Capernaum, those who collected the double-drachma tax[a] approached Peter and said, “Doesn’t your Teacher pay the double-drachma tax?”(A)
25 “Yes,” he said.
When he went into the house, Jesus spoke to him first,[b] “What do you think, Simon? Who do earthly kings collect tariffs or taxes from? From their sons or from strangers?”[c](B)
26 “From strangers,” he said.[d]
“Then the sons are free,” Jesus told him. 27 “But, so we won’t offend them, go to the sea, cast in a fishhook, and take the first fish that you catch. When you open its mouth you’ll find a coin.[e] Take it and give it to them for Me and you.”(C)
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Matthew 17:24 Jewish men paid this tax to support the temple; Ex 30:11-16. A double-drachma could purchase 2 sheep.
- Matthew 17:25 Lit Jesus anticipated him by saying
- Matthew 17:25 Or foreigners
- Matthew 17:26 Other mss read Peter said to Him
- Matthew 17:27 Gk stater, worth 2 double-drachmas
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.”
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 17:24 Greek the two-drachma [tax]; also in 17:24b. See Exod 30:13-16; Neh 10:32-33.
- 17:25a Greek Simon?
- 17:25b Greek their sons or others?
- 17:27 Greek a stater [a Greek coin equivalent to four drachmas].
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