The Problem of Tribute Payment

50. The Problem of Tribute Payment

The tribute payment is expected prior to entering the temple. Jesus instructs that just as earthly kings do not require their sons to pay tribute to enter their kingdom, so God does not require His sons to pay tribute to enter into His. Again, Jesus’ point is that the tribute payment is a law of men, created for the benefit of the priests; it is not a law of God.

But he does not want the issue to stand in the way of people hearing his teaching, so he says, go catch a fish, and use that as payment.