Matthew 17:24

Modern

After they had arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax came to Peter and asked, “Does your Teacher pay the two drachmas?”

Traditional

And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?

Literal

And on their having come to Capernaum, those receiving the didrachmas came to Peter and said, “Does your Teacher pay the didrachmas?”

Latin

Et cum venissent Capharnaum, accesserunt qui didrachma accipiebant ad Petrum, et dixerunt ei: Magister vester non solvit didrachma?

Greek

English

After they had arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax came to Peter and asked, “Does your Teacher pay the two drachmas?”

Every adult citizen of Israel had to pay the temple tax of one-half shekel. This was a coin weighing 4 grams. In the time of Jesus, priests and some rabbis did not pay this tax.
Peter spoke on behalf of the twelve apostles (see Matthew 10:2).

Theme notes and profiles

Exodus 30:13
Everyone who crosses over to those counted must pay a half shekel, according to the sanctuary shekel, which weighs twenty gerahs. This half shekel is an offering to the LORD.
Exodus 38:26
…a beka per person, that is, half a shekel, according to the sanctuary shekel, from everyone twenty years of age or older who had crossed over to be numbered, a total of 603,550 men.

Peter: Apostle of Jesus, leader in the early church

Capernaum: Town in Galilee; center of Jesus' ministry