IT was quite natural that the Capernaum collector should challenge Peter in regard to his Master’s payment of the half-shekel—a tax levied upon all males in Israel for the upkeep of the temple (Matt. 17:24-27). In his eyes He was only an itinerant preacher, perhaps a prophet, and therefore liable for the impost as all others. But Peter erred egregiously in answering the inquiry in the affirmative. Only a little while before he had confessed Him as “the Christ, the Son of the living God,” and had received the Saviour’s benediction for it (Matt. 16:16-17); now he acknowledges His liability for a petty tax as though He were a mere son of Jacob. When he entered the house the Lord anticipated what he had to say, showing thus His perfect omniscience. “What thinkest thou, Simon? Of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? Of their own sons or of strangers?” To this the blundering apostle returned the only answer that was possible― “of strangers.” Jesus saith unto him: “Then are the sons free.”
A simple statement, yet how full! Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of Him Who dwelt in the temple. From Him the great Sovereign of the universe never could or would demand anything. But observe the plural — “sons.” He put Peter alongside of Himself as sharing His position and relationship. The grace of this is astounding. Yet Scripture is most explicit in its address to every Christian: “Thou art no longer a servant, but a son.... Ye are all the sons of God by faith in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:6; 4:7). We owe this to the Saviour’s atoning blood, which has put away all our sins, and furnished God with a righteous ground for the display of all His love and grace. The blood of Christ entitles every believer to share His relationship of Son to the Father, and to be with Him in His heavenly glory forever.
But these wonders are not yet acknowledged by the world. Neither Christ nor Christians are yet recognized in their true position of exaltation as sons to the Father. Consequently the tax must be paid without demur. Neither clamor, nor resistance―passive or otherwise―could proceed from the meek and lowly One. Had the half-shekel been required at census-time as atonement-money (Ex. 30:11-16) the case would have presented grave difficulties; but the collection was of a different nature, a mere charge for the maintenance of the temple (a Chron. 24:6). Mark the tender consideration of our Lord: “Notwithstanding, lest we should stumble them —” He would rather pay any figure, however unjust or objectionable, than endanger the testimony of God by provoking invidious comments from the unregenerate. How little has His example been heeded by Christians when smarting under a sense of wrong!
Small though the amount was―is 3rd. per head―the Saviour did not possess it. Creation must, therefore, supply it at His command. “Go thou to the sea, cast a 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.” Everything and every one―wind, waves, fishes, demons, etc.―discerned Who He was but poor benighted man. Painful thought! The most favored of all God’s creatures, the blindest of all through sin! Yet His infinite grace picks up multitudes of the wretched sons of men and puts them in the company of His own beloved Son, so that He can link them with Himself and say, “Me and thee.”