Matthew 17:24 Meaning and Explanation
“And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →At Capernaum the temple-tax collectors ask Peter whether Jesus pays the tribute.
What Does Matthew 17:24 Mean?
Back in Capernaum, those who gathered the temple tax -- the half-shekel each man gave for the service of God's house -- approach Peter with a pointed question: does not your master pay the tribute? It is asked of Peter as if to test where Jesus stands toward the temple.
The scene shifts from lofty things to an ordinary matter of duty and money, where faith is also lived out. How Jesus relates to the temple and its claims is no small question. The exchange that follows will reveal His true standing while showing how He chooses to walk humbly among His people.
Matthew 17:24 in the Original Language
didrachmon (δίδραχμον), 'tribute' -- the two-drachma temple tax, the yearly half-shekel given for the house of God.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 17:24
What does Matthew 17:24 mean?
At Capernaum the temple-tax collectors ask Peter whether Jesus pays the tribute.