Matthew 17:24–27: The Sons are Free
Introduction
Since Caesarea Philippi, when Peter confessed Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God, Matthew’s Gospel has considered the same question across multiple passages from different angles: How can it be that Jesus should suffer? If he is the eternal Son of God with all power, glory, and authority, how could he come into shame, sorrow and death? While Matthew’s discussion of Jesus’ attitudes toward tax collection may seem obscure and out of place, we will see that Matthew is still presenting us with the same dilemma that contrasts the rights and privileges of Jesus against his voluntary suffering. Here, Matthew shows that Jesus avoids every stumbling block to our salvation except the cross.
Discussion Questions
1. Where is Capernaum? Where is Capernaum in relation to Caesarea Philippi? What does this direction of travel indicate as to Jesus’ ultimate destination? How much was a drachma worth? How does the two-drachma tax (a half-shekel) relate to the temple tax of Exodus 30:11–16? Why does the tax collector reference the fact that Jesus was a “teacher”? How might a rabbi find an exemption from paying this tax?
2. What does Jesus’ anticipation (“spoke first”) of Peter suggest about Jesus’ interest in the topic of temple tax collection? Whom do the “kings of the earth” symbolize in Jesus’ parable-like story here? Whom do the sons of the kings represent? Whom do the others/outsiders represent? How does this story establish the absolute exemption of Jesus from paying the temple tax? What point is Jesus making when he insists that the “sons are free” (v. 26)?
3. If Jesus is exempt from paying the temple tax, why does he still insist upon paying it anyway? What word does Jesus use to describe “giving offense” (v. 27)? How does that word compare to the word that Jesus used to rebuke Peter as a “hindrance” to him (Matt. 16:23)? What are the similarities between these two passages? What different points is Jesus emphasizing to Peter in each of these passages?
4. What stumbling block hinders you from believing in Jesus? Are you ashamed of the foolishness in the eyes of the world constituted by believing in and following Jesus? Do you struggle to believe that you are a sinner in need of a Savior? How might Jesus’ voluntary willingness to suffer for you melt your unbelief? What kinds of rights might you be demanding that keep other people from believing in Jesus? How should you use your freedom (1 Cor. 10:29; Gal. 5:13–14)?
