Jesus and Peter pay the Temple tax, through a fish. Why fish? Connected maybe with Peter being ‘’a fisher of men?’’ Why Peter particularly?

We also seePeter’s identity, and his role in the Kingdom, and the Church (for Catholics, as the first Pope).

And what is the moral principle Jesus teaches us in this passage?

The second time Jesus announces His death and resurrection. 

We notice immediately, that His prophecies are given in private to His disciples, and not to the crowd.

 ‘’As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, ‘The Son of Man ( a way for Jesus disclosing His identity as the Messiah, something the Jews were waiting for) is going to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised. And they were greatly distressed.’’

Jesus was specific about the events that were about to occur…to Him. He said that on the third day, He would rise. 

Why the third day? There are a few theories, one being the fulfillment of the prophecy in Hosea 6:1: 

‘’Come, and let us return unto Jehovah; for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. After two days will he revive us: On the third day He will raise us up, That we may live in His sight.’’

And then, the disciples were distressed. 

Why distressed? 

Did not Jesus confirm that His death and eventual resurrection was the will of God, that is the fulfillment of the Messiah? That His death wouldn’t be a defeat? It appears that the disciples still didn’t comprehend Jesus’s need to suffer, and rise from the dead. 

It is also the distress about Jesus overturning their expectations that the King would reign forever, He would be victorious, and not suffer. And that the Kingdom of Heaven would come immediately upon Messiah’s arrival in Jerusalem. Jesus said something different, causing the distress. They had a hard time letting go of understanding what the Messiah’s mission looked like. We can fall into this dilemma as well. 

And/or their lack of faith, which throughout Jesus’s ministry was a repeating theme. We know from the Gospels that the 12 disciples were flawed and sometimes doubtful followers of Jesus.

 Reflecting us, right? 

The Temple Tax Passage

Then, they went to Capernaum ( Center of His ministry, in Galilee).

While in Capernaum, the tax collectors went to Peter to ask if Jesus paid the Temple tax, as Jesus was overdue with His payment (a Jewish man over 20 years old had to pay it annually). Interesting choice He made, right?

• Now why did they go to Peter when in the first verse, it is clear that they all went to Capernaum? Well, probably because Peter became the leader amongst the disciples, as we do know the authority Peter had in his life, having the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven and being the rock. Another possible reason that many scholars point out, is how other disciples demonstrated jealousy towards him.

Peter answers that Jesus will indeed pay, even though he probably isn’t 100% sure He would. 

In Israel, you can visit Peter Apostole’s house. Imagine our God and the Apostles being there! Capernaumwas what Jesus chose to call “home” during His Galilean ministry. 

Jesus says, ‘’Simon, tell me your opinion: who has to pay the taxes of the king’s sons: foreigners or sons of the king? From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes: from their children or others?”

“From others” Peter answered.

• Here we get an interesting answer from Jesus, which is probably the main reason why this passage is often overlooked.

“Then the children are exempt (free from an obligation/liability imposed on others),” Jesus said to him. “But so that we may not cause offense, 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.”

Jesus was under no obligation to pay the temple tax. 

Jesus was the true Temple, the ultimate place of God. Jesus would also be the only perfect high priest and the only perfect sacrifice for sin (as in the Temples sacrifices were made through animals). As the Temple was the earthly representation of God dwelling with humankind, of course, Jesus would have paid the Temple tax. Nothing else would be expected of Jesus…in His humanity. But the fact is, that Jesus was also fully Divine. 

So, what obligation could be required from Him, right?

• What is interesting, is the fact that Jesus gave this specialized instruction to Peter, not to the others. Nor did Jesus make the coin appear at that moment, or ask to get a coin from Judas Iscariot, as he was taking care of the money bag. 

We also come to notice the intimate spiritual union between Jesus and Peter. (‘’Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”) Peter is miraculously paying Temple taxes. Here we start to emerge into St Peter’s identity in His Kingdom and the Church. 

What was this miracle’s purpose?

  Jesus’ authority, not only over the temple but over all of creation?

• But He did still pay. Why?

This is where we can learn from Christ.

We simply don’t need to assert our rights. We can cooperate with others without making a scene IF no larger principle is at stake. We must be doing so, out of prudence. If the government breaks God’s law, the moral law, that is when we shouldn’t obey and stand with Jesus (i.e. abortion, slavery, legalization of drug use, prostitution, etc.). We need to be cautious not to take this out of context. This doesn’t mean we ignore the evil being legalized by our government. 

Our approach, however, is what matters, when we stand against wrongdoing. 

We do have the responsibility to obey the government like we are called to obey God’s law. Jesus taught peaceful submission to those placed in authority. 

The apostle Paul even affirms the responsibility of believers to respect and honor the governing authorities that God has set in place, including the payment of taxes (Romans 13). Again, what is more important than the actual payment of taxes, is the believer’s approach.

“Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’’

Conclusion

The fact is that our citizenship is in Heaven, (Phil 3:20) and we are not of the world (John 17:16), but we remain in the world, giving us a chance to impact the world for Christ, through His grace. As believers, we must follow the example of Christ. He dined with sinners, (i.e. Matt 9:10) and welcomed them to come to Him. We as followers of Christ must do that. Because we were all once lost and far from home before Jesus came into our hearts.

May Jesus dwell in us. And may we not dwell in politics, or ways of this world.

Jesus’ priorities must become our priorities if we want our actions to reflect Jesus in this sinful and dark world.

Let’s pray: Our Father in Heaven, help us to seek Your wisdom, and act in this world the way we are meant to, through Your grace and wisdom. Transform our hearts Lord, and do not let us act in the ways of men, but in heavenly ways. Help us through Your grace of the Holy Spirit to seek the Kingdom of God every day. And help us to invite others to do the same. In Your Almighty name Yeshua, we pray,

Amen.