Matthew 17:26Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Indeed, it is no trivial matter to declare that the first fish caught from the depths would yield the necessary tribute, indicating that His command, akin to casting a net into the profound, would secure the fish with a coin. However, it is the work of divine power, beyond comprehension, to command the sea to supply this treasure, illustrating that all creation is subject to Him: even when stirred, it abruptly stilled, and amid the tumult of the waves, it served Him, now providing for the required taxes.

To demonstrate His divinity and dominion over creation, Christ instructs Peter to retrieve a stater from a fish. This action reveals a profound mystery. Our humanity is akin to a fish, submerged in the abyss of disbelief, yet the message of the apostles has brought forth a stater from within us, which consists of the words of the Lord and the confession of Christ. Thus, whosoever affirms Christ carries within them a stater of two didrachms.

As both divine and human, Christ embodies two distinct natures. This stater represents the sacrificial death of Christ, intended for both Jews and Gentiles, for the righteous and the sinners. Observe a person who treasures silver and gold; they are akin to a fish navigating the ocean of life's temptations. However, if a teacher like Peter approaches, he can draw the gold and silver from their grasp. While some interpret stater as a precious stone found in Syria, others understand it as a quarter of a gold coin.

Thus, the manifestation of this High Priest was acknowledged by all creation, and everything hurried to render homage to Him in their distinct manners. The Most High conveyed His greetings through Gabriel, and the Heavenly Beings through a star; the Gentiles offered gifts via the Magi, and the long-silent prophets dispatched scribes to declare, “From the city of Bethlehem a king must come forth” (cf. Matt. 2:6). The statyr, which was found in the fish’s throat, and which bore the likeness of a monarch, stood as evidence to those who sought discord and annoyance, confirming that even the sea had yielded obedience to Him whom they deemed an outsider.

This gift is truly a valuable offering; however, it is presented in two parts, as the payment is made for Peter as a sinner, while our Lord, being sinless, is free of deceit as noted in Isaiah 53:9. A statyr, which is worth two didrachms, illustrates the likeness of their humanity through the same coin being given for both Lord and servant. This passage, upon simple reflection, teaches us that the Lord was so destitute that He lacked the means to pay the tax for Himself and for the Apostle. Therefore, if one were to question how Judas managed to carry money at times, we can assert that the Lord deemed it inappropriate to utilize the possessions of the poor for His own gain, setting a significant example for us in this regard.

Our verbal acknowledgment of sin leads to eternal salvation, as the Apostle affirms: “with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation” (Rom. 10:10).

There is an additional lesson from the apostles to heed: cast the hook and take the first fish that surfaces. It is Peter alone who receives this directive from the Lord, serving as a vital spiritual lesson about being obedient to higher authorities (cf. 1 Pet. 2:13), ensuring no one dares to disregard the commands of secular rulers. If the Son of God paid His taxes, who are you to consider yourself exempt? He settled His dues while possessing nothing, and yet you, in pursuit of worldly wealth, refuse to honor the laws of the land. Why do you elevate yourself in arrogance above this world, submitting instead to it through your base desires? He fulfilled the two drachmas, symbolizing our redemption and mortal existence, forecasted in the law (cf. 2 Chron. 24:5-9, Nehem. 10:32), documented in the Gospel, and not coincidentally located in the fish's mouth. For we understand, “by your words you shall be justified” (cf. Matt. 12:37). The cost of our eternal life is found in our confession, as it is stated: “with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation” (Rom. 10:10).

This initial fish may represent the first martyr (see Acts 6:8 - Acts 7:60), who had a didrachma in his mouth—equivalent to the tax due. For us, Christ embodies our didrachma, and the martyr Stephen held this treasure when he spoke of Christ amid his suffering. Let us now return to our interpretation and embrace apostolic humility.

When the Lord originally formed man, He instilled in him two essential principles: the first, the original principle of the soul, and the second, determined by Providence, the principle of the flesh. However, humanity proved unfaithful to both, harming the first through disobedience to the commandment, and undermining the second by overstepping the boundaries established by nature. This latter principle became entangled in desires, leading mankind into the depths of vanity. Hence, when the Lord was called upon to contribute to nature's dues, He—being the Lord and Restorer of nature—extracted the corrupt desire from the tumult of life through His active word, recovered the principle obscured by that desire, namely the rightful use of the flesh intended for enjoyment, and restored the principle to nature, purged of any misuse.

Notice how He does not seek to put the Jewish people to the test; similarly, He refrained from challenging the Pharisees when discussing provisions. By this, He indicates the need for discernment in approaching temptation—at times, we must guard ourselves against it, while at other times, we should deliberately choose to overlook it. Overall, it is essential to disregard temptation in matters aligned with God's commandments, and in our actions driven by free will, we ought to steer clear of such trials, as instructed by Basil the Great.

In providing the coin for Himself and Peter, He willingly 'endures' for the Church, as He declared to Peter, "Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My Church," personally guiding its foundation. The ultimate reward for souls is Divine wisdom, with Christ as the cornerstone, of whom the sacred Writer affirmed, "For the Jews the Law was at the head of the corner." Additionally, he conveyed on the Lord's behalf, "In the beginning of the Scriptures it was written of Me." John explicitly states, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God," Who took on flesh, instructing us through His words concerning the fish and the coin. He commands us to respect the authority of kings and rulers, as they in turn mandate our duties—not in a petty manner but in accordance with the law, becoming instruments of God’s proclamation. If He is to be considered merely a man, as some claim without reason, how could He have known that the fish from the depths would have a coin in its mouth? The coin is not hidden within its body but lies in its mouth. Moreover, this particular fish would be the first to be captured, serving as an example for others to follow. This is the domain of God—to foresee the emergence of that fish which carries the treasure in its mouth. Indeed, through the unseen power of God, the fish was guided by the One who, in times of old, commanded the great sea creature to swallow Jonah and to keep him safely for three days in the deep, subsequently releasing him unharmed. The fish awaited the first moment to fulfill what was divinely ordained. In its obedience, it sets an example amid human need, as He who created all things from nothing and designed the coin, placed it in the fish, and brought it to the fisherman, compelling Peter to cast his line into the sea. Concerning Him, the king and sacred Writer remarked, "Our God is in heaven and earth, in the sea and in all abysses. All that He willed, He created."