Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
Parallel translations
- WEB But, lest we cause them to stumble, go to the sea, cast a hook, and take up the first fish that comes up. When you have opened its mouth, you will find a stater coin. Take that, and give it to them for me and you.”
- BSB “But so that we may not offend them, go to the sea, cast a hook, and take the first fish you catch. When you open its mouth, you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for My tax and yours.”
- NKJV Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.”
- NASB 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 a stater. Take that and give it to them for you and Me.”
- NLT However, we don’t want to offend them, so go down to the lake and throw in a line. Open the mouth of the first fish you catch, and you will find a large silver coin. Take it and pay the tax for both of us.”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
To avoid causing offense, Jesus tells Peter to find the tax money in a fish's mouth and pay for them both. He voluntarily submits, modeling that Christian liberty yields for the sake of others.
Overview
Though exempt as God's Son, Jesus pays the tax to avoid needless scandal, foreshadowing the principle of surrendering rights for love (1 Corinthians 9:19; Romans 14). The miraculous provision in the fish also displays his lordship over creation. The phrase 'for me and you' gently honors Peter while teaching gracious self-limitation.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 19
- 2 Cor 6:3Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
- 1 Cor 9:19–22For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
- 1 Cor 8:9But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
- 2 Cor 8:9For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
- 1 Cor 8:13Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
- Rom 15:1–3We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
- Matt 15:12–14Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?
- Jonah 1:17Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
- Rom 14:21It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
- 1 Kgs 17:4And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.
- Ps 8:8The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.
- Jas 2:5Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
- Heb 2:7–8Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:
- Jonah 2:10And the LORD spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.
- Gen 1:28And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
- 1 Cor 10:32–33Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
- Titus 2:7–8In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
- John 6:61When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?
- 1 Th 5:22Abstain from all appearance of evil.
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Christ at the center
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King — son of David, son of Abraham — the new Moses and true Israel in whom every prophecy reaches 'that it might be fulfilled.'
How Matthew 17:27 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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