Matthew 17 24

Matthew 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?

Matthew 17:24 nkjv

When they had come to Capernaum, those who received the temple tax came to Peter and said, "Does your Teacher not pay the temple tax?"

Matthew 17:24 niv

After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, "Doesn't your teacher pay the temple tax?"

Matthew 17:24 esv

When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax went up to Peter and said, "Does your teacher not pay the tax?"

Matthew 17:24 nlt

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?"

Matthew 17 verses

Matthew 17 24 Meaning

Matthew 17:24 describes an incident in Capernaum where tax collectors, specifically those gathering the two-drachma or half-shekel temple tax, approach Peter and inquire whether Jesus pays this required religious levy. The question, phrased to anticipate a "no" or a challenge, implicitly questions Jesus' adherence to Jewish tradition and his unique status relative to the Temple. It sets the stage for Jesus' subsequent teaching on his divine sonship and the reasons for his voluntary payment of the tax.

Matthew 17 24 Context

Matthew 17:24 occurs directly after the pivotal event of the Transfiguration on the high mountain (Matthew 17:1-8), where Jesus' divine Sonship was powerfully affirmed by God the Father. Immediately prior to their arrival in Capernaum, Jesus also cast out a demon from a boy that the disciples could not heal (Matthew 17:14-20), leading to a teaching on faith and prayer. Therefore, the question about the temple tax arrives after clear demonstrations of Jesus' divine power and identity. Capernaum itself was Jesus' Galilean base of operations and a prominent location for many of his miracles and teachings.

The historical context of the "tribute money" is crucial. This was not a Roman civil tax but the annual Temple tax, a half-shekel (didrachma), required of all Jewish males twenty years and older for the maintenance and services of the Jerusalem Temple. Its origin is found in Exodus 30:13-16, commanded by God for the upkeep of the Tabernacle as a "ransom for their souls." While religiously significant, paying it symbolized one's belonging to the covenant community and commitment to the Temple. Not paying could imply disregard for Jewish law and tradition, a serious charge for a religious teacher.

Matthew 17 24 Word analysis

• And when they were come to Capernaum (Καπερναούμ - Kaperanaoum): Capernaum was Jesus' main base in Galilee, a prominent Jewish fishing village by the Sea of Galilee. It's significant because many of Jesus' teachings and miracles occurred here, making him and his disciples well-known to the local inhabitants and authorities. The timing suggests they had just descended from the Mount of Transfiguration (traditionally Mount Hermon or Tabor) and traveled to this central hub.

• they that received tribute money (οἱ τὰ δίδραχμα λαμβάνοντες - hoi ta didrachma lambanontes): This refers to the collectors of the temple tax. "Didrachma" (δίδραχμα) means "two drachmas," which was equivalent to a half-shekel, the standard annual Temple tax. It was a required religious levy, not a Roman imperial tax. The mention here specifies their role and the particular type of money involved, signaling a religious, rather than civil, encounter.

• came to Peter: Peter is frequently the spokesperson for the disciples and is often approached in situations concerning Jesus. His prominence within the group and possibly his local familiarity in Capernaum (which was home to him, Andrew, James, and John) made him a natural point of contact for the tax collectors.

• and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? (Ὁ διδάσκαλος ὑμῶν οὐ τελεῖ τὰ δίδραχμα; - Ho didaskalos hymōn ou telei ta didrachma?): This is a leading question, phrased to expect a "yes" answer (implied by "οὐ," "doth not?"). It suggests a challenge, perhaps reflecting a common Jewish concern for proper observance of religious duties. The collectors may have been aware of Jesus' controversial claims and questioned whether he, a new religious teacher or rabbi, adhered to this customary obligation. They address Jesus as "your master" (διδάσκαλος - didaskalos, teacher), acknowledging his position but implying a need for conformity to religious practice, setting up a subtle polemic against any perception of His exempt status or disrespect for the Temple. "Pay tribute" (τελεῖ - telei) implies fulfilling an obligation, to perform or accomplish.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "They that received tribute money came to Peter": This highlights the official nature of the inquiry and Peter's role as an intermediary or representative of Jesus. The approach to Peter, rather than Jesus directly, suggests a form of inquiry or subtle challenge that respects typical societal interactions while still pressing the issue.
  • "Doth not your master pay tribute?": This question's phrasing "Doth not...?" suggests the collectors either assumed Jesus would pay and wanted confirmation, or more likely, they knew Jesus was perceived as someone extraordinary and were implicitly challenging whether he, despite his unique status, would still adhere to common Jewish obligations, thus testing his position vis-à-vis established religious norms. This interaction functions as a prompt for Jesus to teach about His identity and His relationship to the Temple.

Matthew 17 24 Bonus section

The Capernaum incident surrounding the Temple tax can be seen as a fulfillment of God's covenant dealings. The original half-shekel tax in Exodus 30 was explicitly for "a ransom for their souls" to avert plague and maintain atonement. Jesus' subsequent payment, though a pragmatic act to avoid offense, metaphorically points to Him as the ultimate ransom and atoning sacrifice who makes all His children truly free, not from a monetary tax, but from the spiritual bondage of sin. The miracle of the coin in the fish also uniquely emphasizes Jesus' authority over creation itself, reaffirming the truth of His Sonship, echoing the voice from the cloud in the Transfiguration just moments before (Mt 17:5). This incident is unique to Matthew's Gospel, emphasizing Matthew's theological focus on Jesus' kingship and His relationship to the Law and the Jewish people.

Matthew 17 24 Commentary

Matthew 17:24 marks the beginning of an encounter that beautifully illustrates Jesus' divine Sonship, His authority over the Temple, and His gracious willingness to avoid offense, even when exercising His divine prerogatives. The "tribute money" was the sacred half-shekel temple tax, signifying adherence to the Mosaic covenant. The collectors' question to Peter—"Doth not your master pay tribute?"—is more than a casual inquiry; it's a direct challenge to Jesus' status. If Jesus is the Son of God, the Master of the Temple, why would He pay a tax for His own Father's house? Conversely, if He didn't pay, it would be seen as disrespect for a cherished Jewish institution, causing a stumbling block for His followers and potential blasphemy in the eyes of the religious establishment.

This verse sets up the dramatic revelation in the subsequent verses (17:25-27), where Jesus pre-empts Peter's response, demonstrating His omniscience and divine insight. He reveals that "the children are free" from tribute paid to a king by their father, thereby asserting His status as the Son of God, not subject to tax for His Father's house, the Temple. Yet, despite this intrinsic exemption, Jesus instructs Peter to pay, miraculously providing the means. This act underscores His mission not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it (Matt 5:17), and crucially, to avoid creating unnecessary offense or stumbling blocks for others (Romans 14:13). It showcases Jesus' blend of divine authority, humble obedience, and pastoral consideration.