As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is to be handed over to men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day." And they were overwhelmed with grief. When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the temple tax approached Peter and said, "Doesn't your teacher pay the temple tax?" "Yes," he said. When he came into the house, before he had time to speak, Jesus asked him, "What is your opinion, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take tolls or census tax? From their subjects or from foreigners?" When he said, "From foreigners," Jesus said to him, "Then the subjects are exempt. But that we may not offend them, go to the sea, drop in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up. Open its mouth and you will find a coin worth twice the temple tax. Give that to them for me and for you." (Mt 17:22-27)
The disciples were overwhelmed with grief when they heard the news about Jesus’ death. This news also was accompanied with the news about his resurrection. We wonder why the disciples were not overjoyed about that. It could be because they have not experienced the resurrected persons. They did not want to lose Jesus. They wanted him to be with them always.
Jesus didn’t believe the Temple tax was proper. Every Jew, all over the world, was supposed to pay small sum each year, to help to support the Temple in Jerusalem. This irritated several Jews and some even wanted to over throw the Temple regime. This could have been one of the reasons why Jesus was against the Temple and its administration.
Jesus’ kingdom movement was aimed at challenging the authority of the Temple and its rulers. Now he was in Galilee and this was not the opportune time speak against the Temple. Time will come when he would openly challenge the authorities. Now he had better played it low. He was a master strategist. He planned to challenge them in Jerusalem so he asked Peter to oblige.
