Matthew 17:24-27

Jesus in His humility, paying tax Matthew 17:24-27: It was costly to operate the temple. The ransom tax was used for that purpose. (Exodus 30:11-16) The tax authorities questioned Peter about whether Jesus was going to pay His tax. If Jesus had simply paid the tax he would have been looked upon as just another Jewish Rabbi or teacher. He was a great teacher but He wanted it to be understood that He was the Messiah. If He failed to pay the tax the Jews would have something unlawful of which to accuse Him.

Jesus claimed to be God's Son. They wondered whether He would pay tax to God, His Father. First Jesus again proved to Peter that he was the Messiah. He told Peter what he was thinking without Peter expressing anything. Jesus said to Peter that the tax must be paid so attention would not be focused on some small detail instead of the fact that He is the Messiah. The tax money was taken from the mouth of a fish. The Lord somehow put a coin in the mouth of the fish and then directed the fish to Peter's hook. The miracle of Matthew seventeen proves again that Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah. (John 20:30-31)

The Bible gives us many looks at Jesus but non more vivid than the transfigured Savior healing a boy no one else could help, taking about His death and resurrection and being humble enough to pay the temple tax, but powerful enough to do so with a great miracle. Truly "this man is the Son of God". Do you love Him and are you keeping His commandments? Jesus said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15) "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." (Mark 16:16)