The Coin in the Fish’s Mouth

In Galilee, Jesus has just announced that he will be delivered up, put to death, and raised on the third day. When they arrive in Capernaum, the men who collect the two-drachma tax approach Peter: “Doth not your master pay tribute?” — “Yes,” he answers. But once in the house, Jesus speaks first: “What thinkest thou, Simon? Of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? Of their own children, or of strangers?” — “Of strangers.” — “Then are the children free.” Still, “lest we should offend them,” Peter is to pay: “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 [a stater]: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.” Matthew stops at this command: the Son, free from this obligation, pays out of consideration for others.