I've been reading the Bible differently of late. I already read the entire thing several times, so now I decided to read only the red-letters, which is really the heart of the matter anyway. And in doing this, I've been coming up with questions. Lots of questions.
Matthew 17:24-27
After Jesus and His disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two drachma tax came to Peter and asked, "Doesn't your teacher pay the temple tax?" "Yes He does," he replied.
When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak."What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes - from their own sons or from others?" "From others," Peter answered. "Then the sons are exempt," Jesus said to him. "But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours."
What do you think this means? I always thought Jesus was talking about, like city taxes, or property taxes. But he's talking about the temple tax. In my NIV study notes, it says there was an annual temple tax required of every male 20 years of age and older, and it was used for the upkeep of the temple.
So...our 'temple' would be the church, correct? If so, is Jesus saying the 'sons' aren't responsible for the upkeep of the church? If not, then who is responsible?
What are your Deep Thoughts on this?
Matthew 17:24-27
After Jesus and His disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two drachma tax came to Peter and asked, "Doesn't your teacher pay the temple tax?" "Yes He does," he replied.
When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak."What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes - from their own sons or from others?" "From others," Peter answered. "Then the sons are exempt," Jesus said to him. "But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours."
What do you think this means? I always thought Jesus was talking about, like city taxes, or property taxes. But he's talking about the temple tax. In my NIV study notes, it says there was an annual temple tax required of every male 20 years of age and older, and it was used for the upkeep of the temple.
So...our 'temple' would be the church, correct? If so, is Jesus saying the 'sons' aren't responsible for the upkeep of the church? If not, then who is responsible?
What are your Deep Thoughts on this?
