Matthew 17:24 Commentary and Bible Study

(Synoptics: Matthew 17:24-27) Jesus and his disciples had only just arrived, so we should not listen to those who say that he didn’t normally pay the tax and the authorities caught up with him. He did not have to pay until he came to Capernaum. This wasn’t a Roman tax but a Jewish tax for the upkeep of the temple (Exodus 30:13; 38:26), which was due from every man in the nation. The way the question is worded, the collectors of the tribute money seem to be aware that Christ and the disciples have not yet paid, but the question expects a positive answer. Christ was not with the disciples at the time, and the authorities went to Peter, presumably because they saw he was the leader of the disciples. Peter answers, ‘Yes’. Why? There are no grounds to believe that Peter was being dishonest. He answers yes, either because the Lord had paid before, or because Jesus always kept the law and so could be expected to pay. Nevertheless he knew that he had not yet done so and therefore he feels under some pressure from the question and to some degree defensive about it. The subject does not seem to have come up before between Christ and Peter. The question is about Christ specifically. He doesn’t want his master to be accused of omitting any duty, and instinctively protects his reputation, but his answer has not properly thought through the implications of Christ paying this tax. He knew that those who collected the money would see it as wrong not to pay, but he was uncomfortable with the idea that the Messiah should pay this tax like any other man. However he did not have ready any clear reason why Christ should not pay, and so he says, yes..