Peter and the Coin in the Fish

When they came to Capernaum, the men who collected the didrachma tax came to Peter. They asked him whether his teacher paid it. Peter answered, “Yes.”

When Peter came into the house, Jesus spoke first. He asked, “Simon, what do you think? Do kings collect tolls and taxes from their own children, or from others?” Peter answered, “From others.”

Jesus then made his point. If kings collect from others, not from their own children, then the children are exempt. Jesus was teaching Peter to think carefully about the question he had been asked.

But Jesus did not want to make these collectors stumble. So he told Peter to go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the first fish that came up.

Jesus said that when Peter opened the fish’s mouth, he would find a stater coin. Peter was to take it and give it to the collectors for both Jesus and himself. What do you notice about Jesus’ wisdom and care in this moment?