(Originally posted on here)
My Bible reading passage for today was Matthew 17:22-27. Jesus has just returned to Capernaum from Caesarea Philippi. Then tax-collectors were seeking to collect for the two-drachma tax. This tax was originally for the establishment and maintenance of the tabernacle. Then it was used for the temple. After the Jerusalem’s fall in 90 A.D., Romans used the collection towards Jupiter’s Temple.
The tax collectors had come across Peter and questioned him on if Jesus will pay the tax. Most likely these men were sent by the Jewish leaders to try and pin an accusation on Jesus. Peter told them that Jesus will pay the tax. Upon returning to Jesus who was staying at Peter’s house during this time, Jesus knew what had happened and then asked Peter a question concerning the tax. Jesus practically asked Peter, “Does kings tax their sons or strangers?” Peter answers, “Strangers.” Jesus replies and says, “Thus, the sons are exempted.”
Jesus makes it clear that the Son of the King does not need to pay taxes. Peter had just witnessed the Jesus’ transfiguration and understood that Jesus is the Son of God, who is the King of the Universe. Jesus reminds Peter that earthly agendas do not rule God and his Son. But Jesus them explains to Peter that being a heavenly citizen has implications on how to act towards earthly kingdoms and their citizenship.
Jesus says to pay it so that no offense is brought to them. I find this interesting because Jesus has already offended them by claiming to be God (a true claim). Thus Jesus wants the only offense for his enemies to focus on to be that he is God. He doesn’t want his enemies to find offense in little things but in the main idea that Jesus is God.
During the trial, the Jewish leaders do accuse him of plotting to destroy the temple and braking the Sabbath. But in the end the driving nail is that Jesus claimed to be God. Ironically, the temple should be very tax that Jesus should be exempt from when one understands that Jesus is God. The temple is the House of God. Yet, because Jesus takes on humanity and understands the plan of God for the redemption of his people, he pays the tax.
In doing so Jesus also sets an example for us as to how to principally deal with earthly governments and in particularly taxes. So let me glorify God through the paying of taxes.
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