07-02-2009, 07:29 PM
:heartbeat: Howdy folks! Today's tantalizing Bible text is -
Matthew 17:25 ---
The Tribute Money
24 When they came to Capernaum, those who collected the [b]two-drachma tax came to Peter and said, "Does your teacher not pay the two-drachma tax?"
25 He said, "Yes." And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs or poll-tax, from their sons or from strangers?"
26 When Peter said, "From strangers," Jesus said to him, "Then the sons are exempt.
27 "However, so that we do not offend them, go to the sea and throw in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find [c]a shekel. Take that and give it to them for you and Me."
Footnotes:
[b] Matthew 17:24 Equivalent to two denarii or two days' wages, paid as a temple tax
[c] Matthew 17:27 Lit standard coin, which was a shekel
A good lesson for us here too - though they were "exempt" from paying this particular tax, Jesus, chose his battles wisely and paid the 'tribute money'. The following commentary on these verses, that I hope you find as interesting as I did, was made available by InterVarsity Press on http://www.biblegateway.com ---
:heartbeat:Much love to you all from
Your sister in faith,
Willa:heartbeat:
Matthew 17:25 ---
The Tribute Money
24 When they came to Capernaum, those who collected the [b]two-drachma tax came to Peter and said, "Does your teacher not pay the two-drachma tax?"
25 He said, "Yes." And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs or poll-tax, from their sons or from strangers?"
26 When Peter said, "From strangers," Jesus said to him, "Then the sons are exempt.
27 "However, so that we do not offend them, go to the sea and throw in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find [c]a shekel. Take that and give it to them for you and Me."
Footnotes:
[b] Matthew 17:24 Equivalent to two denarii or two days' wages, paid as a temple tax
[c] Matthew 17:27 Lit standard coin, which was a shekel
A good lesson for us here too - though they were "exempt" from paying this particular tax, Jesus, chose his battles wisely and paid the 'tribute money'. The following commentary on these verses, that I hope you find as interesting as I did, was made available by InterVarsity Press on http://www.biblegateway.com ---
Upholding Society's Requirements
Adult Jewish males throughout the Empire paid an annual two-drachma tax, based on Exodus 30:13-16, for the upkeep of the Jerusalem temple. Even in Matthew's day, (probably) after the temple was destroyed, this tax remained important: after 70, the Romans required all Jewish people (including Jewish Christians maintaining allegiance to their Jewish heritage) to pay that tax to the Roman government. For the sake of maintaining public identification with their Jewish heritage, Jewish Christians should join non-Christian Jews in paying the tax. The principle is that we must sometimes engage in otherwise unprofitable pursuits for the sake of upholding our witness as citizens of the communities where God has placed us.Jesus Cares About Our Social Obligations (17:24-26)
Like a good prophet, Jesus knows in advance Peter's question (17:25). He also does not regard the poll tax as binding on himself or Peter (vv. 25-26), but recognizes that the tax collectors may (v. 24). He thus does not rebuke Peter for committing him (v. 25); he wishes to avoid unnecessary cause for misunderstandings (v. 27) that might turn people away from his gospel unnecessarily (compare 5:29-30; 13:41; 16:23; 18:6). Jesus has offended (literally "caused to stumble") members of the religious establishment before (15:12-14), but this is an unnecessary "stumbling block" because it addresses one's own rights rather than the truth of God's kingdom (18:6).Surrendering "Rights" for the Sake of the Gospel (17:27)
Jesus' point here is similar to Paul's point in 1 Corinthians 9 and 10:29-33: one should sacrifice one's own privileges for the sake of the gospel. Head or poll taxes normally listed specific exceptions who would not have to pay. Conquerors subjected conquered peoples, not their own subjects, to taxation. Priests were exempt from the two-drachma tax cited here; so in later times were rabbis. Most significant here, dependents of a king were naturally exempt from his taxes.Jesus Supplies These Needs As Well As Other Needs (17:27)
The four-drachma coin probably is a Tyrian stater, precisely enough to pay two persons' temple dues. Following an old Greek story, some Jewish stories of uncertain date speak of God blessing pious people by leading them to find precious objects in fish (Bultmann 1968:238; Jeremias 1971:87). If Peter knew of such stories, the moral of Jesus' causing him to find money in a fish would not be lost on him. This is irony of a sort: the King's children can pay the tax because the King gives them the money to do so. Jesus can take care of his people who walk close to him.:heartbeat:Much love to you all from
Your sister in faith,
Willa:heartbeat: