Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Matthew 17:24-27

JESUS PAYS THE HALF SHEKEL OF THE SANCTUARY

Peculiar to St Matthew.

τὰ δίδραχμα. This was not a tribute levied by Cæsar or by Herod, but the half-shekel (Exodus 30:13) paid annually by every Jew into the Temple treasury. The ‘sacred tax’ was collected from Jews in all parts of the world. Josephus (Ant. XVI. 6) has preserved some interesting letters from Roman proconsuls and from Augustus himself, to Cyrene, Ephesus and other communities, directing that the Jews should be allowed to forward their contributions to the Temple without hindrance.

It would be interesting to know whether the Jewish Christians continued to pay the Temple-tax in accordance with the Lord’s example.
After the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple the Jews were obliged to pay the two drachmæ into the Roman treasury. Joseph. B. J. VII. 6. 6.

οὐ τελεῖ. Probably some who misunderstood or who wished to misrepresent Jesus had raised the doubt whether He would pay the tribute. It is possibly a hint that His claims to the Messiahship were becoming more widely known. Meyer remarks that the ναὶ of Peter makes it clear that Jesus had been in the habit of paying the tax.

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Matthew 17:24-27

Old Testament

New Testament