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PETER AND THE TRIBUTE-MONEY.ToC<br />
It was a part of the Jewish law that all strangers passing among the Jews<br />
should pay to the priests of the Temple an offering to the Lord, or tribute-money<br />
as it was called.<br />
Soon after our Lord's Transfiguration He came to Capernaum, together with<br />
His disciples. When they had entered the city, there came to them the priests who<br />
usually collected this tribute-money, and they said unto Peter, "Doth not thy<br />
Master pay tribute?" And he answered, "Yes." But when they had come to the<br />
house, Jesus said to Peter, "What thinkest thou, Simon? Of whom do they take<br />
tribute; of their own people or of strangers?" And Peter answered Him, "Of<br />
strangers."<br />
Jesus saith unto him, "Then their own people are free; but lest we should<br />
offend them by not paying, go thou down to the sea, and cast in thy hook and<br />
line, and take up the first fish that taketh the hook into his mouth. And when<br />
thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money there. Take it and<br />
give it unto the priests as tribute for Me and for thee." And Peter went down to<br />
the sea and cast in his line, and took a big fish. And when he had opened its<br />
mouth he found the piece of silver, and took it to the men in payment of the<br />
tribute.<br />
This tribute was collected to pay the expenses of the Temple worship. Jesus<br />
sought to show that, as He himself was the Son of God, the King for whose<br />
service the tribute was paid, He might justly be exempted from paying it; yet to<br />
save giving offence He miraculously provided the piece of money to pay tribute<br />
for Himself and Peter.
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