Can someone explain this passage?

[whatevergirl]

Gospel
Mt 17:22-27

As Jesus and his disciples were gathering in Galilee,
Jesus said to them,
“The Son of Man is to be handed over to men,
and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.”
And they were overwhelmed with grief.

When they came to Capernaum,
the collectors of the temple tax approached Peter and said,
“Does not your teacher pay the temple tax?”
“Yes,” he said.
When he came into the house, before he had time to speak,
Jesus asked him, “What is your opinion, Simon?
From whom do the kings of the earth take tolls or census tax?
From their subjects or from foreigners?”
When he said, “From foreigners,” Jesus said to him,
“Then the subjects are exempt.
But that we may not offend them, go to the sea, drop in a hook,
and take the first fish that comes up.
Open its mouth and you will find a coin worth twice the temple tax.
Give that to them for me and for you.”

 

[Keikiolu]

Gospel
Mt 17:22-27

As Jesus and his disciples were gathering in Galilee,
Jesus said to them,
“The Son of Man is to be handed over to men,
and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.”
And they were overwhelmed with grief.

The disciples are bummed (excuse the colloquialism), so what is said next (below) is a little “light humor” to cheer up those mopey folks (or at least Simon Peter)…

When they came to Capernaum,
the collectors of the temple tax approached Peter and said,
“Does not your teacher pay the temple tax?”
“Yes,” he said.
When he came into the house, before he had time to speak,
Jesus asked him, “What is your opinion, Simon?
From whom do the kings of the earth take tolls or census tax?
From their subjects or from foreigners?”
When he said, “From foreigners,” Jesus said to him,
“Then the subjects are exempt.

So, Jesus is establishing that they DON’T really have to pay the tax (as they are “subjects” of the temple and not “foreigners” to it), but so as to not offend the “tax collectors”…

But that we may not offend them, go to the sea, drop in a hook,
and take the first fish that comes up.
Open its mouth and you will find a coin worth twice the temple tax.
Give that to them for me and for you.”

Jesus pulls a little “coin from behind the ear” levity to perk up the party.

You could also say that Jesus is suggesting that the primary “fisher of men” (the Pope) will find the “gratuitous” funds for payment of “social/political taxes” (ie the secular-temporal right to exist) from the common “fish” (Christians) which is “placed there” (coin in a fishes mouth) by the grace of God.

Who has ever said Jesus wasn’t a great comedian, eh…?

Mahalo ke Akua…!
E pili mau na pomaikai ia oe. Aloha nui.

 

[Nita]

Gospel
Mt 17:22-27

As Jesus and his disciples were gathering in Galilee,
Jesus said to them,
“The Son of Man is to be handed over to men,
and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.”
And they were overwhelmed with grief.

When they came to Capernaum,
the collectors of the temple tax approached Peter and said,
“Does not your teacher pay the temple tax?”
“Yes,” he said.
When he came into the house, before he had time to speak,
Jesus asked him, “What is your opinion, Simon?
From whom do the kings of the earth take tolls or census tax?
From their subjects or from foreigners?”
When he said, “From foreigners,” Jesus said to him,
“Then the subjects are exempt.
But that we may not offend them, go to the sea, drop in a hook,
and take the first fish that comes up.
Open its mouth and you will find a coin worth twice the temple tax.
Give that to them for me and for you.”

Some thoughts in addition to those given by Keikolu.

It’s interesting to note that the collectors of the temple tax approach Peter alone, while he is outside the house. (Wonder why they don’t go directly to Jesus. Were they trying to undermine Peter’s confidence or trust in Jesus??) When Peter comes into the house, Jesus demonstrates He knows what was taking place outside, before Peter even has time to tell Him about it. It brought to my mind the incident with Nathanael (John 1:43-50) where Jesus’ knowledge of something where He was not personally present, gave rise to Nathanael believing in Jesus.

Nita

 

[puzzleannie]

great thoughts, I would also muse that in the fish incident Jesus demonstrates his power and “ownership” of all created things, which like the stormy sea, obeyed him, and produced exactly what was needed at the time.

 

[Janet_S]

catecheticsonline.com/CatenaAurea-Matthew17.php

From the Fathers:

JEROME; Or otherwise; From the time of Augustus Caesar, Judea was made tributary, and all the inhabitants were registered, as Joseph with Mary his kinswoman gave in His name at Bethlehem. Again, because the Lord was brought up at Nazareth, which is a town of Galilee subject to Capernaum, it is there that the tribute is asked of Him; but for that His miracles were so great, those who collected it did not dare to ask Himself, but make up to the disciple.

JEROME; I am at a loss what first to admire in this passage; whether the foreknowledge, or the mighty power of the Savior. His foreknowledge, in that He knew that a fish had a coin in its mouth, and that that fish should be the first taken; His mighty power, if the coin were created in the fish’s mouth at His word, and if by His command that which was to happen was ordered. Christ then, for His eminent love, endured the cross, and paid tribute; how wretched we who are called by the name of Christ, though we do nothing worthy of so great dignity, yet in respect of His majesty, pay no tribute, but are exempt from tax as the King’s sons. But even in its literal import it edifies the hearer to learn, that so great was the Lord’s poverty, that He had not whence to pay the tribute for Himself and His Apostle. Should any object that Judas bore money in a bag, we shall answer, Jesus held it a fraud to divert that which was the poor’s to His own use, and left us an example therein.

CHRYS; Observe also the wisdom of Christ; He neither refuses the tribute, nor merely commands that it be paid; but first proves that He is of right exempt, and then bids to give the money; the money was paid to avoid offense to the collectors; the vindication of His exemption was to avoid the offense to the disciples. Indeed in another place He disregards the offense of the Pharisees, in disputing of meats; teaching us herein to know the seasons in which we must attend to, and those in which we must slight the thoughts of, those who are like to be scandalized.

CHRYS; As you wonder at Christ’s power, so admire Peter’s faith, who was obedient in no easy matter. In reward of his faith he was joined with his Lord in the payment. An abundant honor! You shall find a coin, that take and give to them for you and for me.

JEROME; Or; That fish which was first taken is the first Adam, who is set free by the second Adam; and that which is found in his mouth, that is, in his confession, is given for Peter and for the Lord.

JEROME; And beautifully is this very coin given for the tribute; but it is divided; for Peter as for a sinner a ransom is to be paid, but the Lord had not sin. Yet herein is shown the likeness of their flesh, when the Lord and His servants are redeemed with the same price.