Matthew 17:22-27

Matthew 17:22-27 NIV

When they came together in Galilee, he said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised to life.” And the disciples were filled with grief. 
After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesnʼt your teacher pay the temple tax?” 
“Yes, he does,” he replied.
When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?”
“From others,” Peter answered.
“Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said to him. “But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”

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Let me tell you how it will be.
There's one for you, nineteen for me.
Cuz I'm the taxman
Yeah in the taxman

The words above were penned by George Harrison of The Beatles. Frustrated with the amount of money the government was taking from his income as a performer and recording artist, he wrote Taxman in 1966 for the Revolver album. Americans can identify with his pain every pay stub, and every April 15th when we must submit our annual tax returns.

Jesus lived when the majority of people lived at a simple sustenance level. Their tax burden from the Roman Empire was overwhelming. It was a corrupt system where Roman officials sold rights to collect taxes to local Jewish civilians. Their bribe got them a lucrative position in which they could charge any amount they saw fit, as long as Rome got their required amount. Tax collectors grew rich off of their countrymen and Rome got their taxes. You can understand with such a system an additional tax required by the temple only added to the burden.

The temple tax was established by the law of Moses in which every man was to give 1/2 shekel annually, which amounted about $5.00 of today's money. Later in Jesus' time 2 drachmas was worth less than $1.50. It doesn't seem like much, but added onto Rome's many taxes, income, sales, harvest, export and import taxes, etc., it was just another painful reminder of their oppression.

The Israelites were initially to live in a theocracy in which God was king. The people were to live according to God's will made known in the covenant, the Law of Moses. But as time went on they moved away from their loose confederacy of tribes toward a nation ruled by an anointed king. They approached Samuel, prophet and the last of Israel's judges, to anoint for them a king. Samuel consulted the Lord and gave Israel this warning.

He said, “This is what the king who will reign over you will claim as his rights: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots. Some he will assign to be commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and others to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and still others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants. Your male and female servants and the best of your cattle and donkeys he will take for his own use. He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves. When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, but the Lord will not answer you in that day.”
1 Samuel 8:10-18 NIV

It is known that the chief priests and other upper echelon temple officials lived quite comfortably. The temple tax was a reminder each year of this inequity. While the temple tax had become a bit of a pariah with many, some gladly gave out of their love for God and support of God's throne on earth, that is the temple. So it was with those collecting the temple tax. They were surprised that Jesus, a holy man, had not paid the temple tax. Perhaps these collectors too were trying to discredit Jesus publicly, like the religious leaders had done so numerous times. Or perhaps they were shocked Jesus hadn't shown visible support of the temple.

Peter affirmed to these men that Jesus did indeed support the temple by paying His annual tax. Peter went to Jesus, but Jesus already knew the conversation had happened. This is Matthew's way of reminding us that Jesus is divine. He had a sixth sense, so to speak, and knew that Peter had been approached about the temple tax.

Jesus asked Peter if earthly kings require their own children to pay taxes. Of course the royal family does not pay taxes. They benefit from them. Jesus then reasoned that the children of God, the divine King, are also exempt.

That's interesting. For the King of the Universe had established the temple tax. Why would Jesus say Israelites were exempt, or does He mean only the church is exempt? There is a sense in the Law, and in interpretation, that giving was to be voluntary, not a legal obligation. Perhaps He felt the church needn't regard this tax as an obligation.

More to the point, Jesus knows the temple's end is near. The temple and it's leadership had become corrupt. The tax wasn't about glorifying God, but about keeping the religious authorities well funded. You may remember that Jesus cursed a fig tree for not bearing fruit, as a means of pointing to the fruitless ministry of the temple. (Mat 21:18-19)

Even though Jesus felt that His followers needn't pay the temple tax, as children of God, He did not think offending the temple officials was wise. So He instructed Peter to go fishing and grab the first fish out of his net. In its mouth Peter would find a four drachma coin which would pay Jesus and Peter's obligation.

Why is this story in the gospel? The temple tax certainly was something the early church wrestled with, but how do we apply the wisdom revealed here? The story reveals that we are God's children. We are royalty as far as Jesus is concerned. That ought to make you feel very good. That knowledge ought to boost your self-esteem.

In addition we learn that God provides for His children. The four drachma coin miraculously was found in the fish's mouth. The fish often symbolizes the church, so one might presume that the charity of the church, an expression of God's mercy, can be counted on to help those who are short on their financial obligations. I don't think that is Jesus' intent here. Rather it is that God, the King of the Universe, provides for His children.

Finally, we see that some battles, while just, are not worth engaging. Would you really take the IRS to task over $1.50 discrepancy? It's better not to offend. This doesn't mean that Jesus thinks we should roll over for everyone expecting something from us. Rather we should be generous wherever possible, especially with the authorities.

The early church was under intense scrutiny as a new and misunderstood religious sect. The apostles' letters give frequent attention to peaceful and obedient behavior with state authorities. Paul wrote in the letter to the Romans,

"Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves."
Romans 13:1-2 NIV

Therefore pay your taxes. American Christians benefit from the many privileges of American citizenship. We should pay our taxes and not look for ways to cheat or shirk our responsibility. While we may disagree with our government's expenditures on military enterprises, we nonetheless should choose not to offend. Address dissatisfaction in the voting booth.

You are God's children. You are royalty. God provides. So be at peace and be a peacemaker. By cooperating with appointed authorities you will set an example pleasing to God and beneficial to society.