Peter’s mistake with reference to payment of the temple tax which is
recorded in the seventeenth of Matthew was not the only mistake Peter
made. There were others and all were corrected, the correction in this
case being memorable if not also unforgettable.
Peter promised payment without consulting Jesus. He thought he knew what
Jesus would do in the case and to confess ignorance would lower him in
the estimation of those who received the tax. But Peter had failed to
consider the fact that as the Son in the house of his Father Jesus was
free. Jesus points out Peter’s error as a friend who will not allow his
mistake to be incorporated in his thought and life only to vitiate both.
Jesus takes account also of those who received the tax for they were not
prepared to receive his explanation. His miraculous power is called into
service to relieve the situation. And why not? Is not his Sonship called
in question? He directs Peter where and how to get the required shekel.
For a little while Peter returns to his former occupation but his skill
as a fisherman is supplemented by the superior knowledge and power of
Christ and so when he makes payment it is “for me and thee” because
Peter’s position is not the same as that of the Master.
Our Lord is careful where men are inclined to be careless. Trifles may
make the sum of life but life is no trifle. “You may be too superb to
pay attention to the small debt due your neighbor,” says Dr. Deems, “but
God is so great that he can pay attention to the least of things.”
Matthew’s four verses concerning a matter of thirty-three cents have
their place and their use in scripture. We soon lose sight of the half
shekel and center our thoughts upon Christ, who corrects Peter so
faithfully, who respects the feelings of those who receive the tax and
who even takes account of us at this distance by giving us this minute
view of himself. Little things like this reveal the greatness of our
Lord and just such touches confirm Prof. Stalker’s statement that “the
pagan world not only never produced one holy man but never drew the
picture of one.”