THERE are certain coins mentioned in the gospels connected with incidents of very deep interest. We will first turn our attention to the silver stater, which is mentioned in St. Matthew's gospel.
The particular coin from which our illustration is taken is to be found in the British Museum. It was probably struck during the revolt of the Jews, and before the destruction of Jerusalem, and would date A.D. 66-70. Some, however, consider that it was struck B.C. 141 to 135, in the time of Simon Maccabæus. Be that as it may, it offers a fair representation of the “piece of money" of the scripture referred to. On the one side is a chalice, with "Shekel of Israel" inscribed over it, and "Year Two." Upon the reverse is a branch with three flowers—probably those of the pomegranate, which, as may be remembered, formed part of the ornamentation of the high priest's robe—and around the flowers is inscribed, "Jerusalem the Holy.”
Every male in Israel was bound to offer once a year a half-shekel poll tax, which passed into the money chests of the temple. It was a sacred tax, emanating from the law demanding the redemption money when the tabernacle was erected. If two men joined together in payment of the tax, and presented a silver stater, they had to get the coin changed into two half-shekels, as each person had to pay his personal temple tax himself. The money changers charged a small settled fee for the transaction, though at times they imposed upon the people.
When the Lord was with His disciples at Capernaum, the collector of the tax inquired of Peter whether his Master paid tribute, and as a pious Israelite Peter answered "Yes." Indeed, not to pay the tax was an offense which brought down the penalty of excommunication upon the offender. Rich or poor, even the very beggars, had in some way or other to find the money and pay the tax.
When Peter had entered the house, and before he had opportunity to relate what he had said, the Lord inquired of him, "What thinkest thou, Simon? Of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? Of their own children, or of strangers?" Peter replied, "Of strangers"; and the Lord answered, "Then are the children free"!
May we infer that He did not approve of this annual tax? It was originally the one compulsory payment which each Israelite had to make for the erection of the tabernacle of Jehovah in the wilderness, and the silver so collected was devoted in such a manner that it proclaimed Redemption. It was ransom money, and every Israelite, rich or poor, gave the same amount, for there is but one ransom for the soul. When the people were numbered it was also ordained by God that this ransom should be made by those who were numbered.
But it may be questioned whether an annual tax in order to support the temple was at all the same thing as a ransom for the soul upon the given occasion of the numbering. The children of the King are free.
Now, the form of the Lord's question is remarkable: "Of whom do the kings of the earth take tribute?" For by it the Lord discovered Himself to Peter, not merely as the King of Israel, but as the Lord of creation, saying, "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.”
A fish readily seizes a shining object as it settles down through the water; and the Lord, who knew all things, was aware of the silver stater being in the fish's mouth; and, as Disposer and Sustainer of all things, He so ordered that Peter should cast his hook aright and catch the fish. All obeyed His bidding or followed out His ordering. So far we see His perfect authority and power.
But the incident shows more than this. "Lest we should offend them" is grace. He was Lord over all; and to ask Him to pay a poll tax, and His disciples, who stood, as it were, like children in relation to Him, was a grievous dishonor to Him; but "Lest we offend them," He said, graciously linking Peter with Himself in the "we." And not only so; but, in His almighty power and glory as Creator and Disposer of all things, He linked Peter with Himself. The temple coin, surrendered from the "sea" by the fish, was given to the tribute gatherer, by the Lord's order, both for Himself and His disciple—"for Me and for thee.”