There are moments in the Gospel that feel small and domestic but crack the surface of who Jesus really is. A coin in a fish’s mouth sounds almost amusing — until you see how that little miracle touches custody, dignity, and divine authority. What do you hold on to as your right, and what could you release for the sake of peace and witness? Matthew 17:24–27 asks those questions in a gentle, surprising way.
In Matthew’s telling, tax collectors ask Peter whether Jesus pays the temple tax. When Peter returns, Jesus preempts him: “What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take duty or tax — from their sons or from others?” He explains that sons are exempt, but to avoid causing offense he instructs Peter to catch a fish; inside its mouth Peter will find the coin needed to pay the tax for both of them. This story is unique to Matthew’s Gospel (it doesn’t appear in Mark, Luke, or John), and Matthew uses it to highlight both Jesus’ belonging and his practical care for his disciples.
This passage reveals a paradox of Jesus’ identity: he is the Son who is not obligated in the same way as outsiders, and yet he willingly accommodates social expectations to keep the work of the Kingdom moving forward. It shows Jesus’ authority over creation (a coin appears where it naturally could not), and his pastoral wisdom — he both asserts identity and models humble deference. That tension should unsettle and encourage us: we are deeply known and valued by God (we belong), and we are also called to choose humility when asserting our rights would create needless offense or hinder the Gospel.
Practically, live this tension today. When you’re tempted to insist on your rights—at work, in family, or in a church disagreement—pause and ask, “Will asserting this advance God’s purposes or create a stumbling block?” If preserving relationships matters more, choose the small yield. And if anxiety about provision nags you, take a concrete step of faith: pray briefly for God’s provision, then do one specific, tangible thing (call a friend, set aside a small amount, or make a generous payment you’ve been avoiding) as an act of trust that the Son cares for you and provides in unexpected ways.
In Matthew’s telling, tax collectors ask Peter whether Jesus pays the temple tax. When Peter returns, Jesus preempts him: “What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take duty or tax — from their sons or from others?” He explains that sons are exempt, but to avoid causing offense he instructs Peter to catch a fish; inside its mouth Peter will find the coin needed to pay the tax for both of them. This story is unique to Matthew’s Gospel (it doesn’t appear in Mark, Luke, or John), and Matthew uses it to highlight both Jesus’ belonging and his practical care for his disciples.
This passage reveals a paradox of Jesus’ identity: he is the Son who is not obligated in the same way as outsiders, and yet he willingly accommodates social expectations to keep the work of the Kingdom moving forward. It shows Jesus’ authority over creation (a coin appears where it naturally could not), and his pastoral wisdom — he both asserts identity and models humble deference. That tension should unsettle and encourage us: we are deeply known and valued by God (we belong), and we are also called to choose humility when asserting our rights would create needless offense or hinder the Gospel.
Practically, live this tension today. When you’re tempted to insist on your rights—at work, in family, or in a church disagreement—pause and ask, “Will asserting this advance God’s purposes or create a stumbling block?” If preserving relationships matters more, choose the small yield. And if anxiety about provision nags you, take a concrete step of faith: pray briefly for God’s provision, then do one specific, tangible thing (call a friend, set aside a small amount, or make a generous payment you’ve been avoiding) as an act of trust that the Son cares for you and provides in unexpected ways.
Matthew: 17:24-27
When asked whether Jesus pays the temple tax, he points out that children are exempt from such taxes but, to avoid causing offense, tells Peter to catch a fish; the first fish he catches will have a coin in its mouth to pay the tax for both of them.
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