Miracles of Jesus -7- Nature

Miracles of Nature — The Tribute Money, Temple Tax

Matthew 17:24-27

What wild “fish story” is retold in your family?

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Payment of the Temple Tax

Matthew 24 On their arrival in Capernaum, the collectors of the Temple tax came to Peter and asked him, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the Temple tax?”

 25 “Yes, he does,” Peter replied. Then he went into the house.

   But before he had a chance to speak, Jesus asked him, “What do you think, Peter? Do kings tax their own people or the people they have conquered?”

 26 “They tax the people they have conquered,” Peter replied.

   “Well, then,” Jesus said, “the citizens are free! 27 However, we don’t want to offend them, so go down to the lake and throw in a line. Open the mouth of the first fish you catch, and you will find a large silver coin.[d] Take it and pay the tax for both of us.”

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"What do you think..."

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Questions of Discovery

Seeking God’s Message Then and Now

1. What was the temple tax (see Exodus 30:11-16)? Who was required to pay it?
2. Why is Jesus exempt from the tax?
3. When Peter was asked if Jesus had paid the half-shekel tax, what was his response? (Matthew 17:24-25)
4. When Peter came into the house and before he could speak, Jesus asked him three questions. The first asked for Peter's opinion. What were the other two questions? (Matthew 17:25)
a. From whom do the kings of earth take ____________?
b. From their ___________________?
5. What was Peter's answer? (Matthew 17:26)
6. What was Jesus' response? (Matthew 17:26)
7. What did Jesus tell Peter to do? (Matthew 17:27)
8. What lesson was Jesus teaching Peter by paying the tax anyway?

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Questions for Personal Reflection

1. Which freedoms do you enjoy most as a Christian?
2. What is at stake when we offend someone?
3. How are we to contribute to the Lord's work? 2 Corinthians 9:7)
4. What is our responsibility to our government? Romans 13:1, 7