24 When Jesus and his followers came to Capernaum, the men who collected the Temple tax came to Peter. They asked, “Does your teacher pay the Temple tax?”
25 Peter answered, “Yes, Jesus pays the tax.”
Peter went into the house, but before he could speak, Jesus said to him, “What do you think? The kings of the earth collect different kinds of taxes. But who pays the taxes—the king’s children or others?”
26 Peter answered, “Other people pay the taxes.”
Jesus said to Peter, “Then the children of the king don’t have to pay taxes. 27 But we don’t want to upset these tax collectors. So go to the lake and fish. After you catch the first fish, open its mouth and you will find a coin. Take that coin and give it to the tax collectors for you and me.”
Read Matthew 17:24-27 in context and/or in other translations on BibleGateway.com!
Immediately after Peter enters the house following his brief interaction with the temple tax collectors, Jesus is ready with a question for Peter to consider. It is in this question Jesus asks Peter that I see an amazing picture of God.
Before Peter could share or explain what just happened and what he had said and done, Jesus asks him, “What do you think? The kings of the earth collect different kinds of taxes. But who pays the taxes—the king’s children or others?” (v. 25b)
In this question, we see an interesting statement about the time period they were living. While the method for collecting taxes was different, the people in the first century were taxed and we are taxed today as well. In order to help Peter understand the spiritual significance of this situation, Jesus had to make the parallel “real-world” example.
Peter answered by saying, “Other people pay the taxes.” (v. 26a)
This response is correct, but to further emphasize His point, Jesus restates the response from the other angle present. Jesus then replied to Peter by saying, “Then the children of the king don’t have to pay taxes.” (v. 26b)
While Jesus makes this statement in a earthly, physical context, the implications are amazing when we think of the heavenly, spiritual context of what is being said. When we have accepted Jesus’ death on the cross for our sins, we are adopted into God’s family, and according to Jesus’ words, “the children of the king don’t have to pay taxes.” (v. 26b)
The spiritual angle of Jesus’ words doesn’t translate into not paying any earthly tax, but instead Jesus’ words translate into not having to pay the tax on those who break God’s laws. The tax on those who have committed crimes that break God’s laws is death, but if we are adopted into God’s family, we are now children of the King, and as a result, we are exempt from the tax.
But the tax for sin doesn’t go unpaid. Jesus ended up paying the price so that we wouldn’t have to. As God’s Son, Jesus paid the tax that all of God’s children owe, and because of this, we have the opportunity of eternal life and a renewed and restored relationship with God!
This thought was inspired by studying the Walking With Jesus “Reflective Bible Study” package. To discover insights like this in your own study time, click here and give Reflective Bible Study a try today!
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