The Fish Gospel: Matthew 17:24-27 - Reflective Bible Study Gospel Adventure

Focus Passage: Matthew 17:24-27 (CEV)

²⁴When Jesus and the others arrived in Capernaum, the collectors for the temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Does your teacher pay the temple tax?”

²⁵“Yes, he does,” Peter answered.

After they had returned home, Jesus went up to Peter and asked him, “Simon, what do you think? Do the kings of this earth collect taxes and fees from their own people or from foreigners?”

²⁶Peter answered, “From foreigners.”

Jesus replied, “Then their own people don’t have to pay. ²⁷But we don’t want to cause trouble. So go cast a line into the lake and pull out the first fish you hook. Open its mouth, and you will find a coin. Use it to pay your taxes and mine.”

Read Matthew 17:24-27 in context and/or in other translations on BibleGateway.com!

Cam’s Insights: Cam shares how amazing it is that in these four verses, we can see the whole gospel story. Humanity, represented beautifully by Peter, mess up (we could say “sin”), and God arranges for reconciliation (by sending Jesus to pay the price for our sin).

Suzie’s Insights: Suzie shares some thoughts on the idea of a temple tax and how it is not like today’s tithe and offering.

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Discussion Question: What stands out to you in this passage?

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