The Gospel Of Matthew Chapter 17 Pt 6 A Temple Tax Pictures Salvation By Faith In Christ

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Matthew 17:24-27  And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? 25  He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? 26  Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. 27  Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an 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. 

This chapter ends with a question about whether or not Jesus paid taxes.

This was not a tax paid to the Roman government but a tax to support and maintain the temple. 

This law obligated every Jewish man to pay half a shekel yearly for the support of the temple.

This law reminds us that God has always used the tithes and offerings of His redeemed people to support all work of gospel ministry.

Thus, we are reminded that we must support our pastors and missionaries who are funded by our churches and help maintain our buildings (if any) because this is in accord with God's plan.

The temple tax and the price of atonement.

Exodus 30:11-16  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 12  When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel after their number, then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul unto the LORD, when thou numberest them; that there be no plague among them, when thou numberest them. 13  This they shall give, every one that passeth among them that are numbered, half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary: (a shekel is twenty gerahs:) an half shekel shall be the offering of the LORD. 14  Every one that passeth among them that are numbered, from twenty years old and above, shall give an offering unto the LORD. 15  The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when they give an offering unto the LORD, to make an atonement for your souls. 16  And thou shalt take the atonement money of the children of Israel, and shalt appoint it for the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; that it may be a memorial unto the children of Israel before the LORD, to make an atonement for your souls. 

The words "The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel" show us that the Israelites were all the same in the eyes of God. 

One's status, education, wealth, possessions or family connections mean nothing to God for He is no respecter of persons.

This teaches us that all souls are alike. 

We are all born sinners, and are under condemnation of God for our sins. All have sinned and fall short of God's glory.

However, the price of atonement for all humanity is the same. 

It is faith in the perfect life, the perfect fulfillment of the law's obligations accomplished by Jesus Christ, followed by His suffering, death and resurrection for us.

Jesus sacrifice was done once for all people throughout history. This is how He took away the sins of the entire world, all people ever born or that will yet be born.

Jesus suffered for us, died for us and rose from the grave for us.

This is why the gospel of Christ is good news. God will save any sinner no matter how wicked, if they repent and trust Jesus Christ to save them.

Thus, the half shekel that all must bring points to this great spiritual truth. 

Jesus is the only door to eternal life and heaven.

John 10:7-9  Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. 8  All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9  I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 

There is only one door to heaven, Jesus Christ (See John 10. 

Others claim that all religions lead to the same "god" but this is false religion.

Scripture teaches plainly and clearly that there is only One, True, Living God of heaven.

All other religions, no matter how noble they seem, are false religions because they do not address the root cause of sin. 

They are the product of men's imaginations that are powerless to change our wicked hearts.

Only God in heaven can deal with our sins and He did through the once for all sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Therefore, it is right and good for Jesus to say "I am the door and if you enter in through repentant faith in me, you shall be saved."

Jesus Christ is the only name given under heaven for a sinner to repent and be saved.

Acts 4:12  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. 

There is only one name given among men whereby we must be saved, Jesus Christ.

Buddha cannot save. Hindu "gods" and "goddesses" cannot save. Allah cannot save. Mohammed cannot save. Mary cannot save. 

There is only one name that can save a sinner, the name of Jesus Christ.

The Father in heaven has highly exalted His Son and every born again Christian will gladly fall and worship at the feet of Jesus.

Every unrepentant sinner, no matter how religious or sincere they may be, will also bow their knee and their tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

Then, they will be sent to Hell.

Why? Because they rejected the gospel of Christ and ignored God's saving provision.

Every wicked, vile and depraved sinner who hates God and His Son, will also bow their knees and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of the Father.

Then, they too shall be also be sent to Hell to suffer everlasting punishment for their depravity.

Why? Because when they knew God they glorified Him not and persisted in wickedness even though their conscience convicted them of their sins (See Romans 1:18-31).

Jesus is the only way to heaven, the source of eternal truth and the only source of eternal life. 

John 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 

There is only one way to God and that is by repentant faith in Jess Christ.

There is only one source of absolute truth and that is the Holy Spirit inspired Word of God.

There is only one source of eternal life and that is through repentance and faith in Christ.

There is only one way to the Father, and that is through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 7:24-25  But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. 25  Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. 

Jesus is a high priest after the order of Melchizedek (See Hebrews 5 through 7).

Earthly priests served until they died and they had to offer a sacrifice for their own sins before offering for the sins of the people.

Jesus Christ has an unchangeable priesthood because He lives forever. He is able to save to the uttermost all who repent and trust Him to save them.

Because He is both a perfect man and the perfect Son of God, Jesus was tempted like we are but He did not sin. 

We can come boldly to His throne seeking help, grace and mercy in our times of need because He is a compassionate high priest who knows well the feelings of human misery (See Hebrews 4:14-16).

Hebrews 9:11-12  But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 12  Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. 

The law of God required a morning and an evening sacrifice for sins, in addition to many more sacrifices  for various sins and ceremonial cleansings.

Jesus entered into the holy place in heaven with His eternal blood to offer for the forgiveness and cleansing of sin.

Those who repent and call upon Jesus to save them, receive this wonderful, beautiful salvation, a brand new life in Christ and a home in heaven.

Hebrews 9:24-26  For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: 25  Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; 26  For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 

Hebrews 10:10-14  By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11  And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12  But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13  From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. 14  For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. 

Jesus sacrifice is the only way that a sinner can be declared justified by faith in Christ.

Jesus sacrifice was for us, because He never sinned. He is the sinless Son of God.

The Old Testament priests functioned like they did in order to give us a picture of Jesus Christ, the only eternal High Priest in heaven who intercedes for you and me forever.

He put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.

The Old Testament priests offered sacrifices every day because the people sinned every day.

They had to offer sacrifices for their own sins.

It was a tedious, ongoing process from generation to generation.

Jesus made one sacrifice for all people for all time.

He offered one, eternal sacrifice and than sat down at the Father's right hand because His redemptive work was perfect and complete.

Therefore, this is why the same ransom price was given for the Jewish people and they all had an equal share in the service and sanctuary of God. 

It pictures salvation by grace through repentant faith in Jesus Christ. 

This is why the price of atonement was set low, so that the poorest man might be able to pay the price of atonement.

God covered the cost of our salvation which required the sacrifice of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.  

No one can add anything to the cross of Christ. No one can come to God the Father except by faith in the saving work of His Son.

Matthew 17:24-27  And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? 25  He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? 26  Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. 27  Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an 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. 

All of these truths are connected with the temple tax that Peter was asked about.

From this reply of Peter, it is evident that our Lord customarily paid all taxes which were common among the people wherever He came. 

This reminds us that children of God are subject to all civil laws in the places where they live, and should pay whatever taxes are mandated.

We don't rebel against these taxes because our business is not reforming politics but is focused on seeing the souls of men converted to Christ.

Jesus asked Peter is kings subjected their own children to taxation and the answer was no, because the children of the king are free.

The picture is that this tax was collected for the temple of God to fund it's ceremonies and services, all of which pointed to Christ.

The application Jesus wanted Peter to see was that "As this money is levied for the support of that temple of which I am the Lord, then I am not obliged to pay the tax; and my disciples, like the priests that minister, should be exempted from the necessity of paying."

However, Jesus said that He would not do anything to create a stumblingblock to the Jews in general and the priests in particular, from coming to repentant faith in Him.

Therefore, He paid the tribute and it was done in a miraculous manner.

Jesus told Peter to cast a line and hook into the sea and take the very first fish that came up.

It would have enough money in its mouth to cover the fee for both of them.

It is clear that Jesus taught this truth to Paul as well, for the apostle had to deal with Christians who ate meat that was originally offered to idols.

Some ate it with a clear conscience, while others were convicted that they were sinning by eating meat offered to idols.

Therefore, Paul said he would never eat meat if doing so made another brother to stumble.

Thus, Jesus paid the required temple tax.

May these truths guide our steps through this life.

We must always remember that Jesus is the only way of salvation and that we have a Great Commission from Christ to make disciples of Him in all nations. 

God will save Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, Taoists and other who hear the gospel of Christ, repent of their sins and put their trust in Jesus.

May God bless His Word as it goes forth on this blog and from our lips.

We know His Word will not return void. It will do the work in the souls of all that hear or read it.

Let us trust Christ and His Word and be His faithful witnesses.

Bob