Matthew 17:25Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

What was Peter’s response? He stated, “To her!” Peter informed the tax collectors that Christ would provide the didrachma; however, he did not communicate this directly to Christ Himself, possibly feeling hesitant to bring up such matters. Consequently, the gentle and discerning Jesus cautioned him by asking, “What is your view, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth collect tribute or tax? From their own sons, or from outsiders?” To which Peter replied, “From outsiders.” Jesus then said, “Therefore the sons are free” (vv. 25, 26). To ensure Peter did not think He had overheard anything, Jesus began by expressing His own thoughts on the matter, instilling courage in Peter, who had felt shy to address it earlier. The essence of His message was that He is exempt from such obligations.

Our Lord, in both His physical form and spiritual essence, is the Son of a King, being born of the lineage of David and embodying the Word of the all-powerful Father. As the Son of Kings, He was not required to render tribute; however, having taken on humble humanity, He was compelled to fulfill all righteousness. Yet we, who are unworthy and bear the name of Christ while failing to live up to that name, offer Him nothing commensurate with His greatness and are considered free from taxation as if we were royal heirs because He bore the cross and paid the tribute on our behalf.

What is the didrachma required of the Lord, and what is the fish that Peter is instructed to catch, retrieve the coin from its mouth, and provide to those who request it? The individuals who seek the didrachma symbolize our innate desires. They approached Peter, representing the active essence of the Lord, which is humble and obedient to the Father like a disciple, demanding from Him—which is to say, as a man—the tribute typically imposed on all. Yet, the Lord, as both God and Master, illustrated through a parable that He is unbound by such obligations. Nevertheless, since He took on our humanity and truly assumed its pure essence, He consented to pay the natural tribute without sin.

Having initially demonstrated that He is not obligated to pay tribute because of His divine nature, He nonetheless instructs them to contribute from His human nature. This is to avoid any temptation to believe that He disrespected God by refraining from paying the didrachm Himself.

The Lord derived from His words: JESUS said to him, Thus the sons are free - those who belong to the rulers of this world. On what basis did you pledge to cover the taxes for me regarding my Father’s temple in heaven? Did you not recently proclaim Me as the Son of the Living God? ‘Notice,’ remarks St. Chrysostom, ‘how He makes a distinction between true sons and those outside this relationship. If He were not a Son, citing earthly kings would serve no purpose. But indeed, say the heretics, He is the Son, yet not the authentic Son. If He is not the genuine Son, then He is merely a stranger. And if He is a stranger, then the comparison to kings loses its significance.

As Jesus and His disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the temple tax approached Peter, asking, "Does your Master pay the temple tax?" The term refers to a specific tax, customary and established by law. The two drachmas, known in the Attic system, represented the sacred half-shekel that every Jewish man over the age of twenty was obligated to contribute for the upkeep of the temple, as instructed in the law of Moses (Ex. 30:13-16; 38:26; 2 Sam. 24:6). This tax was typically collected during the month of Adar, corresponding to our February. However, it is likely that the tax was gathered at other times to accommodate those who were not present when it was normally collected.

Jesus was obligated to pay the temple tax, as though it were for the Lord; however, being the Son of God, He was not bound by this duty, similar to how earthly kings impose taxes on foreigners, while their own children, or family members, do not have to pay them.

Not wanting to disturb Jesus directly, they turned to the apostle Peter to request assistance. In his characteristic straightforwardness, Peter presented the request to the Lord, hoping for guidance since there were no funds available in the apostolic treasury. On this occasion, the Savior imparted a profound lesson alongside a fresh revelation of His divine nature. "What do you think, Simon?" He asked. "From whom do the kings of the earth collect duties or taxes? From their own sons or from others?" The only reasonable reply was "from others." "Therefore," Christ continued, "the sons are free." As the Son of the heavenly King, I am not required to pay this tax, and you, as my fellow son in a different sense, are also not bound by this obligation. Should we choose to pay, it would not be from necessity but rather as a voluntary and generous offering.

From those who do not belong to the royal lineage. Thus, "the sons are exempt," indicating that they are not required to pay tributes or taxes. The implication is clear: I am free from the obligation to pay didrachmas because I am the Son of God, and it is His temple from which these offerings are taken. Furthermore, if earthly rulers do not impose taxes on their own children but rather on outsiders, how much more should I, the King and Son of the King—not of this world, but of the heavenly realms—be free from such obligations?

Peter affirmed, "Indeed, I am convinced that the Lord has never failed to meet the requirements of the law. However, upon entering the house, Jesus Christ inquired, 'What are your thoughts, Simon? From whom do the rulers of the earth collect taxes or tribute, from their own sons or from others?' Peter acknowledged that he had assured the tax collectors that he would pay the temple tax like everyone else, but he questioned whose temple it truly was. Is it not the temple of my heavenly Father? Is it not peculiar for a son to pay a tax to his father?" Peter recognized that taxes are typically collected from outsiders. The Lord then told him, "The sons are free; thus, I am not obliged to pay the didrachma for my Father's temple.