Dr Tom Hover
November 30, 2025
Matthew 17: 22-27
DEATH AND TAXES - CHRIST’S DEATH OUR TAXES
DEATH AND TAXES
CHRIST’S DEATH OUR TAXES
Matthew 17: 22-27
I heard it all my life! Death and Taxes! Death and Taxes! The only thing for sure is Death and taxes! There are other things that are for sure like the Jesus, the Bible and Eternal Security in Christ! In our text Christ will again Prophecy of His Death and Resurrection. He will also teach by word and deed about taxes. He foretells His own betrayal, death, and resurrection: Matthew 17: 22-27 Jesus pays tribute: Matthew 17: 24
I. CHRIST’S DEATH
In our text once again Christ instructs the disciples about His upcoming death. They were so well instructed about the events of His death at Calvary that their failures at the time of His Death was totally inexcusable. He also reminded them that He would on the third day: Matthew 17: 22-27
A. Christ Speaks of The Disloyalty Matthew 17: 22
B. Christ Speaks of His Death Matthew 17: 23
Revelation 13:8 “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”
C. Christ Speaks of His Deliverance Matthew 17: 23,
I Corinthians 15:14, 17
D.) Christ’s Speech Brought Discomfort Matthew 17: 23 “And they were exceeding sorry. “The last time they were told of Calvary, Peter rebuked the Lord (Matthew 16:21, 22)
II. OUR TAX Keep in Mind A Tribute Is Another Word for Tax Jesus pays tribute Matthew 17: 24-27
A. The Purpose for This Tax Matthew 17: 24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? Exodus 30:11-17: Jesus will teach on Governmental Tax as well as The Tithes and Offerings When He said in: Matthew 22:21 “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.”
B. The Pursuit of This Tax Matthew 17: 24-27
1. Peter Is Asked a Question Matthew 17:24 “They that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your mater pay tribute?”
2. Peter Answers the Question Matthew 17:25 “He saith, Yes”
Peter quickly answered the question in the affirmative. He did not think wisely before answering it, or he would not have given an affirmative answer. But Peter can be excused for the affirmative answer for two reasons.
First, The Purpose of The Tax. The tax was used to aid the work of the Temple. To say “No” could reflect badly on Christ, making it appear He was opposed to the worship of God.
Second, The Protection of Christ. Peter was no dummy, and he knew the question from the tribute collectors was a loaded question. Hostility was growing for Christ, and crafty men were seeking occasion to discredit Christ.
C. The Perspective on This Tax Matthew 17: 25-27
1. The Exemption Concerning This Tax Matthew 17: 25-26 Christ should not have to pay the tribute. The Temple was: “my Father’s house” (John 2:16).
2. The Expediency in Paying This Tax Matthew 17: 27 “Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them”
D. The Providing for The Tax Matthew 17: 27
Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee. The money to pay the tribute was not readily available so Christ worked a miracle to provide the tribute money.
1. Jesus Provided It While in Poverty Matthew 17: 27 “For me and thee.”
II Corinthians 8:9
2. Jesus Provided It a With Precept Matthew 17: 27 “go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.”
3. Jesus Provided It with Power Matthew 17:27 “Thou shalt find a piece of money” Christ worked a miracle to provide the tribute money. In noting the miracle, it will be seen that Christ did not work a miracle where it was not necessary. Peter could go to the sea and cast in his fishing line and pull up a fish. The miracle was the coin in the mouth which Peter could not do. Christ does not work miracles to lessen our duty or make us lazy.
4. Jesus Provided It with Proof The fact that Christ condescended to paying the tribute could give doubt to Peter that Christ was all that He claimed to be. But Christ gave ample proof in the providing of the coin that He was the Son of God. The proof would be most assuring to Peter’s faith.
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