108. The Temple Tax and the Miraculous Shekel. Mt. 17:24–27

When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the drachma tax came to Peter and said: Does your Teacher not pay the drachma tax? He said: Yes. And when he came into the house, the Lord Jesus, speaking first, said to him: What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth collect taxes or tributes? From their own sons, or from strangers? Peter said to Him: From strangers. The Lord Jesus said to him: Then the sons are free. But so that we may not offend them, go to the sea, cast a line, and take the first fish that comes up; open its mouth and you will find a stater; take it and give it to them for Me and for yourself.