Matthew 17:27 (WEB)
But, lest we cause them to stumble, go to the sea, cast a hook, and take up the first fish that comes up. When you have opened its mouth, you will find a stater coin. Take that, and give it to them for me and you.”
Catechism · 1
“Far from having been hostile to the Temple, where he gave the essential part of his teaching, Jesus was willing to pay the Temple-tax, associating with him Peter, whom he had just made the foundation of his future Church.” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Mt 8:4; 16:18; 17:24-27; Lk 17:14; Jn 4:22; 18:20.
Fathers and councils · 37
Irenaeus of Lyons
“This also the Lord confirmed, when He did not do what He was tempted to by the devil; but He gave directions that tribute should be paid to the tax-gatherers for Himself and Peter; because “they are the ministers of God, serving for this very thing.”” — editor's note: Matt. xvii. 27.
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Augustine of Hippo
“But the Only-begotten has been “made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification,” and has been numbered amongst us, and paid tribute to Cæsar.” — editor's note: Matt. xvii. 27.
Read the whole comment“He saith, Yes;” and so on, down to where we read: “Thou shall find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.”” — editor's note: Matt. xvii. 23–27.
Read the whole comment“…of human society: for the Lord Himself also, in order to set before us an example of this sound doctrine, did not deem it unworthy of Him to pay tribute on account of that human individuality wherewith He was invested.” — editor's note: Matt. xvii. 27
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John Chrysostom
“He bade them pay it, and Himself gave the two drachm piece. ( Matt. xvii. 27.)” — the author cites it
Read the whole comment“Since in another place when He had desired to say some high thing, He withheld it, adding this reason, and saying, “Lest we should offend them, cast a hook into the sea.” ( Matt. xvii. 27.)” — the author cites it
Read the whole comment“Elsewhere, for example, He saith, “But lest we should offend them, cast an hook into the sea:”but here He saith, “Let them alone, they be blind leaders of the blind: and if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.”” — editor's note: Matt. xvii. 27.
Read the whole comment“For after thus speaking, He saith, “But lest we should offend them, go thou and cast an hook into the sea, and take up the fish that first cometh up, and thou shalt find therein a piece of money;that take, and give unto them for me and thee.”” — editor's note: Matt. xvii. 27. [Slightly abridged.]
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Ambrose of Milan
“Or, as was said to Peter about the piece of money found in the fish’s mouth: “Give to them for Me and for thee.”” — editor's note: S. Matt. xvii. 27.
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Clement of Alexandria
“Therefore on hearing those words, the blessed Peter, the chosen, the pre-eminent, the first of the disciples, for whom alone and Himself the Saviour paid tribute, quickly seized and comprehended the saying.” — editor's note: Matt. xvii. 27.
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Catena Aurea on Matthew
- Glossa OrdinariaCatena Aurea on Matthew
The disciples were exceeding sorrowful when they heard of the Lord’s passion, and therefore that none might ascribe His suffering to compulsion, and not to a voluntary submission, he adds an incident which instances…
Read the whole comment - Hilary of PoitiersCatena Aurea on Matthew
The Lord is called upon to pay the didrachma, (that is, two denarii,) for this the Law had enjoined upon all Israel for the redemption of their body and soul, and the use of those that served in the temple.
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
For when God slew the firstborn of Egypt, He then accepted the tribe of Levi for them. [margin note: Numb 3:44] But because the numbers of this tribe were less than the number of firstborn among the Jews, it was…
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or otherwise; From the time of Augustus Caesar Judaea was made tributary, and all the inhabitants were registered, as Joseph with Mary his kinswoman gave in His name at Bethlehem. Again, because the Lord was brought…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
And him they address not with boldness, but courteously; for they do not arraign, but ask a question, “Doth not your Master pay the didrachma?”
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or, They enquire with malicious purpose whether He pays tribute, or resists Caesar’s will.
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
What then does Peter say? “He saith, Yea.” To these then he said that He did pay, but to Christ he said not so, blushing perhaps to speak of such matters.
Read the whole comment - Glossa OrdinariaCatena Aurea on Matthew
Otherwise; Peter answered, Yea; meaning, yea, He does not pay. And Peter sought to acquaint the Lord that the Herodians had demanded tribute, but the Lord prevented him; as it follows, “And when he had entered into…
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
Before any hint from Peter, the Lord puts the question to him, that His disciples might not be offended at the demand of tribute, when they see that He knows even those things that are done in His absence. It…
Read the whole comment - OrigenCatena Aurea on Matthew
This speech has a twofold meaning. First, that the children of the kings of the earth are free with the kings of the earth; but strangers, foreigners in the land, are not free, because of those that oppress them, as…
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
But our Lord was the son of the king, both according to the flesh, and according to the Spirit; whether as sprung of the seed of David, or as the Word of the Almighty Father; therefore as the king’s son He owed no…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
For, saith He, in every kingdom the children are free, that is, not under tax. Much more therefore should they be free in any earthly kingdom, who are children of that very kingdom under which are all the kingdoms of…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
But this instance were brought to no purpose if He were not a son. But some one may say, He is son indeed, but not an own son. But then He were a stranger; and so this instance would not apply; for He speaks only of…
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
Howsoever free then He was, yet seeing He had taken to Him lowliness of the flesh, He ought to fulfil all righteousness; whence it follows, “But that they should not be offended, go to the sea.”
Read the whole comment - OrigenCatena Aurea on Matthew
We may hence gather as a consequence of this, that when any come with justice demanding our earthly goods, it is the kings of the earth that send them, to claim of us what is their own; and by His own example the…
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
I am at a loss what first to admire in this passage; whether the foreknowledge, or the mighty power of the Saviour. His foreknowledge, in that He knew that a fish had a stater in its mouth, and that that fish should…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or He does not direct it to be paid out of that they had at hand, that He might shew that He was Lord also of the sea and the fish.
Read the whole comment - Glossa OrdinariaCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or because Jesus had not any image of Caesar, (for the prince of this world had nothing in Him,) therefore He furnished an image of Caesar, not out of their own stock, but out of the sea. But He takes not the stater…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
Observe also the wisdom of Christ; He neither refuses the tribute, nor merely commands that it be paid; but first proves that He is of right exempt, and then bids to give the money; the money was paid to avoid…
Read the whole comment - Gregory the GreatCatena Aurea on Matthew
For we must cast about how, as far as we may without sin, to avoid giving scandal to our neighbours. But if offence is taken from truth, it is better that offence should come, though truth be forsaken.
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
As you wonder at Christ’s power, so admire Peter’s faith, who was obedient in no easy matter. In reward of his faith he was joined with his Lord in the payment. An abundant honour! “Thou shalt find a stater, that…
Read the whole comment - Glossa OrdinariaCatena Aurea on Matthew
For by custom every several man paid a didrachma for himself; now a stater is equal to two didrachmas.
Read the whole comment - OrigenCatena Aurea on Matthew
Mystically; In the field of comfort, (for so is Capernaum expounded,) He comforts each one of His disciples, and pronounces him to be a son and free, and gives him the power of taking the first fish, that after His…
Read the whole comment - Hilary of PoitiersCatena Aurea on Matthew
When Peter is instructed to take the first fish, it is shewn therein that he shall catch more than one. The blessed first martyr Stephen was the first that came up, having in his mouth a stater, which contained the…
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or; That fish which was first taken is the first Adam, who is set free by the second Adam; and that which is found in his mouth, that is, in his confession, is given for Peter and for the Lord.
Read the whole comment - OrigenCatena Aurea on Matthew
And when you see any miser rebuked by some Peter who takes the speech of his money out of his mouth, you may say that he is risen out of the sea of covetousness to the hook of reason, and is caught and saved by some…
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
And beautifully is this very stater given for the tribute; but it is divided; for Peter as for a sinner a ransom is to be paid, but the Lord had not sin. Yet herein is shewn the likeness of their flesh, when the Lord…
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Cross-references · 19
Cited together in Against Heresies V.24.
Cited together in Against Heresies V.24.
Cited together in Against Heresies V.24 and 1 other place.
Cited together in Against Heresies V.24.
Cited together in Against Heresies V.24.
Cited together in On the Catechising of the Uninstructed Chapter 21.
Cited together in Against Heresies V.24.
Cited together in John Chrysostom on Matthew 17:24–27 (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in On the Catechising of the Uninstructed Chapter 21.
Cited together in Against Heresies V.24.
Cited together in Against Heresies V.24.
Cited together in On the Catechising of the Uninstructed Chapter 21.
Cited together in On the Catechising of the Uninstructed Chapter 21.
Cited together in On the Catechising of the Uninstructed Chapter 21.
Cited together in On the Catechising of the Uninstructed Chapter 21.
Cited together in On the Catechising of the Uninstructed Chapter 21.
Cited together in On the Catechising of the Uninstructed Chapter 21.
Cited together in On the Catechising of the Uninstructed Chapter 21.
Cited together in Against Heresies V.24.