One day tax collectors came to Peter. They asked if Jesus paid His taxes to the Temple in Jerusalem. "Oh yes," Peter said. When he came home, Jesus spoke to him first. "What do think, Simon, do tax collectors collect taxes from their own people or from foreigners?" "From foreigners," said Peter. "Then their own people do not have to pay taxes," said Jesus. "But so as not to offend the tax collectors, you go and fish. Take the first fish that comes up. When you open its mouth, there will be a silver piece in it. Pay your Temple tax and Mine with it."
The leaders of the people kept trying to trap Jesus in what He said. They got some of their people to ask Jesus, "Is it right to pay taxes to the Roman ruler or not?" But Jesus knew what they were doing. He answered, "Two faced people! Why are you trying to trap Me?
Show Me the coin you pay the tax with." When they handed Him a coin, He said, "Whose face, and whose name is on this coin?" "The Roman ruler," they answered. "So give to the Roman ruler what is his, and to God what is God's," said Jesus. They were dumbfounded, and left Him alone and went away.
|
