24When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax approached Peter and said, "Does your teacher not pay the two-drachma tax?" [17:25] He said, "Yes." And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke first, saying, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth receive taxes or a poll-tax — from their own sons or from others?" [17:26] When Peter said, "From others," Jesus said to him, "Then the sons are exempt. [17:27] But so that we do not cause them to stumble, go to the sea, throw in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up. Open its mouth and you will find a coin. Take that and give it to them for me and for you."
MAT 17:24-27
The Temple Tax
In the world it was spoken into
In 1st-century Judea, the temple tax was a half-shekel annual contribution required of every adult Jewish male for the upkeep of the Jerusalem Temple. This tax, rooted in Exodus 30:13-16, was a symbol of communal identity and religious obligation. The collectors in Capernaum, likely agents of the temple authorities, approached Peter to inquire whether Jesus paid this tax. Jesus’ response draws on the Roman system of taxation, where kings levied tribute and poll-taxes from subject peoples, not their own family. By framing the temple tax in this way, Jesus subtly critiques the temple system’s alignment with imperial practices while affirming his own identity as the Son, exempt from such obligations. Yet, to avoid causing offense , Jesus instructs Peter to pay the tax through a miraculous provision, balancing his critique with practical wisdom in a context where temple loyalty was deeply tied to Jewish identity.
›See the receipts
How other translations render this
MAT 17:24
- KJV
- And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?
- BSB
- After they had arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax came to Peter and asked, “Does your Teacher pay the two drachmas?”
- Koinōnos
- When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax approached Peter and said, "Does your teacher not pay the two-drachma tax?
MAT 17:25
- KJV
- He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?
- BSB
- “Yes,” he answered. When Peter entered the house, Jesus preempted him. “What do you think, Simon?” He asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs and taxes: from their own sons, or from others?”
- Koinōnos
- He said, "Yes." And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke first, saying, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth receive taxes or a poll-tax — from their own sons or from others?
MAT 17:26
- KJV
- Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.
- BSB
- “From others,” Peter answered. “Then the sons are exempt,” Jesus said to him.
- Koinōnos
- When Peter said, "From others," Jesus said to him, "Then the sons are exempt.
MAT 17:27
- KJV
- Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
- BSB
- “But so that we may not offend them, go to the sea, cast a hook, and take the first fish you catch. When you open its mouth, you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for My tax and yours.”
- Koinōnos
- But so that we do not cause them to stumble, go to the sea, throw in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up. Open its mouth and you will find a coin. Take that and give it to them for me and for you.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
MAT 17:24
- didrachmas:The word translated 'didrachmas' refers to a specific silver coin worth two drachmas, which was the amount of the annual temple tax required of every adult Jewish male.
MAT 17:25
- do they receive:The term used here for 'receive' in the context of taxes refers to a general tax or toll, often collected by tax farmers, rather than a specific temple offering.
- or:The word translated 'or' here actually refers to a poll-tax, a specific head tax levied by the Roman government, distinct from the temple tax.
MAT 17:27
- we may offend:The word translated 'we may offend' carries the sense of causing someone to stumble or fall into sin, or to take offense and abandon their faith, rather than merely causing displeasure.