After Jesus and His disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?” “Yes, He does,” he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” He asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes — from their own children or from others?” “From others,” Peter answered. “Then the children are exempt,” 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.” Matthew 17:24-27
“Jesus supplies needs like these as well as other needs. The “stater” or “four-drachma coin” of 17:27 probably is the Tyrian state, precisely enough to pay two persons’ temple dues. Following an old Greek story, some Jewish stories of uncertain date speak of God blessing pious people by having them find precious objects in fish. If Peter knew of such stories, the moral of Jesus causing him to find money in a fish would not be lost on him. This is irony of a sort: the king’s children can pay the tax because the king gives them money to do so. Matthew encourages his missionary community that Jesus can take care of His people who walk close to Him.”
Craig S. Keener in A Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1999) 445-46.
As a fly fisherman, I love this scene. While I have never found a coin in a fish’s mouth, I love the warm message that this scene in the days leading up to Holy Week sends to everyone close to Jesus. He will take care of you!
The feeling that tends to thwart generosity in our lives is fear. Will Jesus continue to take care of me? Often His provision comes in miraculous forms. We must retell stories like this one to remind us of God’s faithfulness.
As Jenni enjoys time in California with Sophie, I am at home working on a project for Asbury Theological Seminary with thankfulness. God has supplied work so we can live, give generously, and even pay our taxes. We did that last week!
Though we did not find a four-drachma coin in a fish, we did see God supply enough over the past year in ways we never could have anticipated. How has Jesus shown His faithfulness to care for you? Pause and reflect with thankfulness.