Anchor My Faith

A Fish Pays the Tax

Scripture: Matthew 17:24-27; Mark 9:33

In the previous lesson we covered a short narrative about Jesus telling his disciples about his coming death and resurrection. With this lesson we will cover another short narrative about paying the temple tax with a shekel found in the mouth of a fish.

^{Mk 9:33} “[Then] they came to Capernaum. ^{Mt 17:24} [After they arrived there], the collectors of the two-drachma tax went up to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the tax?”’

An example of such a tax is found in Exodus 30:11 – 16 and is referred to as the census tax. As each person is numbered in the census, from twenty years old and upward, they are required to give half a shekel. The tax that was required at this time was two-drachma.

Why did these religious tax collectors approach Peter, the disciples’ leader, rather than Jesus himself? Perhaps it was in deference to Jesus’ esteem as a popular teacher. They wanted to know if Jesus pays the tax. Peter response: ^{Mt 17:25} “He said, “Yes.”’

After being approached by the religious tax collectors, Peter returns to Jesus. ^{Mt 17:25} “When [Peter] came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others?”’

As Peter enters the house, Jesus addresses him as Simon, for some reason, and asks him a question about the tax. “From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others?” Do kings tax their own family members? Do they take a tax from their sons or from others? Peter responds, “From others.”

This discussion with Peter is significant because the temple is Father’s own house, the Son and those he has brought into the Father’s family. These would not be required to pay the tax. This implies that with the coming of the kingdom, believers are no longer under the Old Testament law but the law of Christ.

^{Mt 17:27} “However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.”’

Even though Jesus and Peter are not required to pay the tax, to prevent any future accusations of violating the law, Jesus instructs Peter to pay the tax and where to obtain the money needed. As another illustration of the uniqueness of Jesus, he tells Peter he will find a shekel (half a shekel for each, according to the law) in the mouth of the first fish he catches. Stop for a minute and think of what would be required for that to happen.

Conclusion

When was the last time you went fishing and caught a fish containing enough money in its mouth to pay your federal income tax for the year? Why do you think Jesus sent Peter to find the tax in the mouth of the first fish caught? That which we see as impossible is possible with God.