Spoiler alert:  This story not really about a fish or a coin, but Jesus uses both to make a major statement about being part of His family.

The story is only a few verses (Matt. 17:24-27), but is profoundly massive in its implications. (Note: NLT translated the greek word “huios” as “own people” but the word actually means “son” or “child” (member of the same family), which is how essentially all other versions have translated it).

Please read the short story found in the above verses, then read Matthew 16:13-17. Jesus affirms He is in fact, the Son of God; that is why he has no need to pay the temple tax. And what an amazing thing He said when he extended that exemption to Peter (and by extension, to all who put their faith in Him)! Consider the awesome truth that followers of Jesus do not have an OBLIGATION to God because of the status of FAMILY conferred upon us by Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection.

Also consider the object lesson that Peter learned: status notwithstanding, we can bless the world by walking humbly with our God. And in this case the right thing, by the Spirit’s leading, was to pay the temple tax so as not to offend.

And then of course the WAY Jesus paid the tax seems to be an almost humorous statement about how insignificant money is in the grand scheme of things! (he does the cultural equivalent of pulling a coin out of someone’s ear).

Memory Verse: To those who believed in Jesus’ name, He gave the right to become children of God. John 1:12

Handout: Lesson 120: The fish and the coin

Craft Idea: Fish and Coin Craft

Narrative:

The Pharisees and Sadducees (who were the religious leaders of the day), came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven.  They wanted Jesus to prove to them that He was the Son of God by giving them a sign they could see with their own eyes.

He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.  Wicked evil people look for a sign that will convince them with their own eyes.  But for those, no sign will be given.

Jesus said this because He knew that if the religious leaders really wanted to know the truth, all they had to do was look in the Bible, and see that all of scripture pointed to His coming.  THAT is plenty of a sign!

Later, when Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say I am?”   They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”  “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.

He said this, because Peter understood that Jesus was who He claimed to be – The Son of the Living God.  God, the creator of the universe, was His very own Father!

After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the temple tax came to speak with Peter.   The temple tax was money collected from people who came to the temple, and the money would be used for taking care of the temple.  The men asked Peter, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?”

“Yes, he does,” Peter replied.

When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do bthe kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?”

“From others, not their own children.” Peter answered.

“Then the children are exempt; they don’t have to pay the tax,” Jesus said to him. “And since God is the Father of Me and of all who put their faith in Me, we don’t have to pay.”  Jesus said this because He knew that the temple belonged

to God the Father and all of His children.

“But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”

This miracle was amazing.  But it was also a bit amusing because Jesus showed that money is insignificant; HE owns everything  because He is the Son of God, and has access to all the riches of the world just as a fisherman has access to fish.  THE REALLY AMAZING thing is that the Bible tells us that ALL who believe in his name, are given the right to become children of God!