Matthew 17:22-27

TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

The Lord Again Announces His Coming Death and Resurrection

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. It is right for a believer to pay taxes.

  2. It is wrong for a believer to cause offense.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

Remember, He owns the fish in a thousand seas.


QUESTIONS

  1. Why were the disciples grieved when the Lord again predicted His death and resurrection?

  2. Why might this account of the Lord paying the temple tax be recorded only in Matthew’s gospel?

  3. What is the temple tax discussed here?

  4. According to the Lord’s argument, why should He and the disciples have been exempt from the tax?

  5. Why did the Lord go on to pay the tax for Himself and Peter?

ANSWERS

  1. Because they were still expecting Him to set up His earthly kingdom at that time. They did not understand the importance and necessity of the Lord’s death.

  2. Matthew was a tax collector before the Lord called him to be a disciple. He would have had thorough knowledge of the Jewish and Roman taxes.

  3. It was the annual tax required to support the temple, the House of the Lord. This tax was established in Exodus 30:13-16.

  4. Because the tax was for the House of the Lord and He was the Lord. His disciples were sons of the kingdom, and should also have been exempt.

  5. So that He would not offend.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. It is right for a believer to pay taxes. Refer to Luke 20:22-25. The Roman government was no better than our government today, yet the Lord approved of paying both civil and temple taxes. Discuss how Romans 13:1 relates to this issue.

  2. It is wrong for a believer to cause offense. Refer to I Corinthians 10:32. To cause offense is to do what is improper or unfitting and thus cause unnecessary resentment, friction, or discomfort. Something offensive is not necessarily immoral or illegal, but it has adverse affects on others. Consider your testimony as a believer and discuss when you should be cautious of causing offense.

CHALLENGE

  1. Look how the Lord’s omniscience and omnipotence is shown in Matthew 17:27. Be comforted knowing He can also use His omniscience and omnipotence to help you.

KEY VERSES

  • “The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him, and the third day He will be raised up.” Matthew 17:22-23

New Testament, Matthew, TalksDeb HarmsMatthew 17:22-27