Category:Temple Tax (subject)
The Temple Tax / Coin in the Fish's Mouth is an episode in the Ministry of Jesus, according to the Gospel of Matthew (17:24-27).
Overview
The episode, which is only in the Gospel of Matthew, does not refer to the time of Jesus but to the introduction of the Fiscus Judaicus after the year 70 CE. Although claiming that the "children" (i.e. the Jews) should not pay the tax, the Jewish-Christian community of Matthew accepted to do it, "so that we do not give offense to them [i.e. the Romans]."
The Temple Tax in ancient sources
Gospel of Matthew
Matthew 17:24-27 (NRSV) -- [24] When they reached Capernaum, the collectors of the temple tax came to Peter and said, "Does your teacher not pay the temple tax?" [25] He said, "Yes, he does." And when he came home, Jesus spoke of it first, asking, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tribute? From their children or from others?" [26] When Peter said, "From others," Jesus said to him, "Then the children are free. [27] However, so that we do not give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook; take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a coin; take that and give it to them for you and me."
The Temple Tax in Scholarship
The Temple Tax in Fiction
External links
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