When to Give In for Others

Read the Story

When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax went up to Peter and said, 'Does your teacher not pay the tax?' He said, 'Yes.' And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, 'What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others?' And when he said, 'From others,' Jesus said to him, 'Then the sons are free. However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.'

— Matthew 17:24-27

Question 1: What Was Jesus' Right?

Jesus told Peter that sons don't have to pay taxes to their own father's kingdom. Since Jesus is God's Son, and the temple tax supported God's house, what right did Jesus have? Why didn't He technically need to pay this tax?

Question 2: Why Did Jesus Pay Anyway?

Even though Jesus didn't have to pay the temple tax, He chose to pay it. Look at verse 27 again — Jesus said He would pay so He wouldn't 'give offense to them.' What does that tell you about when it's okay to give up something you have a right to do?

Question 3: What's the Difference?

In Matthew 15:1-3, the Pharisees criticized Jesus' disciples for not washing their hands the ceremonial way. Jesus didn't accommodate them at all — He actually called them out! But in our passage, Jesus accommodated the tax collectors. What do you think made Jesus decide to stand firm sometimes but give in other times?

Question 4: Your Turn to Choose

Think about your life at school, at home, or with friends. Can you think of a time when you had the right to do something your way, but it might have been better to give in so someone else wouldn't be hurt or confused? What was the situation?

Question 5: The Bigger Picture

Romans 14:19 says, 'So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.' How does Jesus' example of paying the tax — even when He didn't have to — show us what this verse means? How can you pursue peace this week by choosing not to insist on your rights?