Category:Peter And The Tribute Money

PETER AND THE TRIBUTE-MONEY

It was a part of the Jewish law that all strangers passing among the Jews should pay to the priests of the Temple an offering to the Lord, or tribute-money as it was called.

Soon after our Lord's Transfiguration He came to Capernaum, together with His disciples. When they had entered the city, there came to them the priests who usually collected this tribute-money, and they said unto Peter, "Does not your Master pay tribute?" And he answered, "Yes." But when they had come to the house, Jesus said to Peter, "What do you think, Simon? Of whom do they take tribute; of their own people or of strangers?" Peter answered him, "Of strangers."

Jesus saith unto him, "Then their own people are free; but lest we should offend them by not paying, go down to the sea, and cast in your hook and line, and take up the first fish that takes the hook into his mouth. When you have opened his mouth, you shall find a piece of money there. Take it and give it unto the priests as tribute for Me and for you." So Peter went down to the sea and cast in his line, and caught a big fish. When he had opened its mouth, he found the piece of silver and took it to the men in payment of the tribute.

This tribute was collected to pay the expenses of the Temple worship. Jesus sought to show that, as He himself was the Son of God, the King for whose service the tribute was paid, He might justly be exempted from paying it; yet to save giving offense He miraculously provided the piece of money to pay tribute for Himself and Peter.

Read more about Peter paying the Temple tax and: The Coin in the fish's mouth Matthew 17:23-26