Jesus said to [Peter], … “Go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth, you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to [the collectors of the two-drachma tax] for Me and for yourself.” Matthew 17:26b & 27b ESV1
Read Matthew 17:24-27
My favorite motion pictures are those which are based on true events. Because they deal with real people overcoming genuinely insurmountable challenges, these movies inspire me. They give me the confidence to believe that if these ordinary people with extraordinary character can prevail in such difficult circumstances, maybe I, too, can make a difference in the situations which I face.
Often these films conclude with photos of the actual people on whose lives these stories are based. Some directors are better than others at choosing actors who authentically represent the physical characteristics of those they are portraying. But what about films depicting the events surrounding Jesus’ earthly ministry? Almost every such movie I have ever seen characterizes Jesus’ twelve closest disciples as older men—some balding, others with salt and pepper hair and beards, and still others with ample waistlines. We don’t have any photographs to make comparisons, but I don’t believe The Twelve looked like that at all!
Let me explain:
The Scriptures record a time in which, Jesus and His disciples “came to Capernaum, [and] the collectors of the two-drachma tax went up to Peter and said, ‘Does your teacher not pay the tax?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, ‘What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others?’ And when he said, ‘From others,’ Jesus said to him, ‘Then the sons are free. However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth, you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for Me and for yourself’” (Matthew 17:24-27).
The book of Exodus tells us more about the two-drachma tax required for the upkeep of the temple. “‘Each one who is numbered in the census shall give this: half a shekel [aproximately 2 drachmae] according to the shekel of the sanctuary …, half a shekel as an offering to the LORD. Everyone who is numbered in the census, from twenty years old and upward, shall give the LORD’s offering. The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less, than the half shekel, when you give the LORD’s offering to make atonement for your lives. You shall take the atonement money from the people of Israel and shall give it for the service of the tent of meeting, that it may bring the people of Israel to remembrance before the LORD, so as to make atonement for your lives” (Exodus 30:13-16, emphasis mine).
Half a shekel tax was required from everyone twenty years and older regardless of income. We know that Jesus was thirty when He began His ministry (see Luke 3:23). Though He was poor (see Matthew 8:20), He was still expected to pay His dues. Peter was in the same boat financially; he had left his business behind when he chose to follow Jesus (see Matthew 4:18-20). But the other eleven disciples had done the same; they had no money coming in either. Why then was only enough money for Jesus and Peter miraculously provided? I don’t think the other disciples needed the money. I believe Jesus and Peter, because of their ages, were the only ones in the group from whom the tax was required.
I believe Peter was the only one of The Twelve who was over the age of twenty when the collectors of the two-drachma tax came calling. From Scriptural accounts, it appears Peter was the leader among The Twelve. This position was probably secured because he was the oldest, but oldest doesn’t necessarily mean old. Peter was the only one of the disciples whom the Gospel writers mention being married (see Matthew 8:14). We know Peter lived in his own house with his wife, his mother-in-law, and his brother, Andrew (see Mark 1:29-30), yet no children are mentioned in Gospel accounts. Peter probably hadn’t been married long when Jesus called him. Peter was impetuous. His wife knew whom she had married, but I can’t imagine she would have been very accepting of Peter quitting his job and gallivanting throughout the country after a rabbi if it meant she had to provide and care for children by herself.
Though it is not always accurate, students are generally younger than their teachers.
“Jewish culture made it customary for a child to begin his religious training at the age of 5 and to continue to age 12 or 13. If a boy was intelligent and interested in continuing his religious studies, he would then seek a rabbi to disciple him and would follow and pattern his life after the rabbi until age 30. At that time, he could take on disciples of his own. A young man’s discipleship training under a rabbi would usually begin between the ages of 13 and 15. If this pattern was consistent with the followers of Jesus, some of them may have joined Jesus as early as age 13 and would have still been teenagers at the time of His death, resurrection, and ascension.”2
At the time of Jesus calling him, Peter had his own fishing business with his brother, Andrew, as a partner (see Matthew 4:18-20), whereas, James and John were still working with their father, Zebedee (see Matthew 4:21-22). At least one or both James and John could have been quite young when they began to follow Jesus since their mother, Salome, joined Jesus’ entourage (see Matthew 27:56 & Mark 15:40-41) and advocated for her children (see Matthew 20:20-21). The mother of the sons of Zebedee may have also been one of the women who helped provide for the needs of Jesus and His disciples (see Luke 8:3).
Most scholars believe John was the youngest of The Twelve. At the Last Supper (Passover) it was John who did the talking. It is Jewish tradition for the youngest child to ask the questions at the Passover meal. “John lived the longest, passing away in the last decade of the first century, according to church history. This was 60 years after walking with Jesus. Even if John were in his 90s when he died, he would have been no more than 30 years old at the time he was with Jesus.”2 Living into one’s nineties is an advanced age even by today’s standards. I’ve got to believe achieving such a milestone would have been exceptional in the first century, especially for a man, like John, who, after undoubtedly enduring some serious physical persecution, was carrying out a life sentence on the rugged penal island of Patmos (see Revelation 1:9).
At the crucifixion, Jesus asked John to care for His mother (see John 19:26-27). The Scriptures say, “from that hour [John] took [Mary] to his own home” (John 19:26). But that fact doesn’t mean John was old enough to own his own home. John’s parents, Zebedee and Salome, were alive at the time of the crucifixion; Mary could have lived with John’s whole family for a time.
Matthew was carrying on business as a tax collector when Jesus called him (see Matthew 9:9). But that doesn’t mean he was any more than an upper teen. Even nowadays many teenagers hold low-paying, less-desirable jobs which don’t require advanced education. I can’t imagine things were much different in the first century.
There are indications that others of the disciples may have been on the young side. James, the son of Alphaeus, was referred to as “James the younger” (Mark 15:40). Maybe this name was only used to distinguish him from John’s brother, but perhaps he really was young. Judas, the son of James, was nicknamed, Thaddaeus, which means breast child.3 I don’t think this means he began following Jesus shortly after being weaned, but there was something about Judas, perhaps his youth, that made a nickname like Thaddaeus stick. And Jesus also referred to His disciples as “little children” (John 13:33). That may indicate they were several years younger than He was.
Because we are unacquainted with the customs of the first century, because we lack knowledge of the Scriptures, and because our perceptions have been influenced by our culture, we miss out on some of the treasures found in the Word. Because our media has misrepresented the most reasonable ages of Jesus’ original twelve disciples, we miss most of what Jesus modeled in the account recorded in Matthew 17:24-27. In all likelihood, Jesus ministered while traveling around the country with a group of teenagers and very young adults. If we were to realize that Peter was likely a relatively young man, being mentored by a Holy Rabbi who was used to interacting with teenagers, we could glean from this passage some Jesus-recommended tactics to guide us in dealing with the young people for whom we are responsible.
Let’s break down this passage and discover the treasures found within:
“The collectors of the two-drachma tax went up to Peter and said, ‘Does your Teacher not pay the tax’” (Matthew 17:24)?
Why they came up to Peter, I can only guess. Perhaps they were busy, and talking to Peter may have been easiest. Possibly they were afraid of a confrontation with Jesus. Maybe they intentionally wanted to take advantage of Peter. Whatever the case, Peter was unprepared for what happened. Youth frequently find themselves in situations where they are unsure of how to act or react. No one is adequately prepared for every situation which may arise, but young people are especially vulnerable because they lack the experience that naturally comes with age.
“[Peter] said, ‘Yes’” (Matthew 17:25).
Peter could have answered, “I don’t know; ask Jesus” or “Let me get back to you on that.” But he didn’t. Peter responded with the first thing that came to his head. Peter was frequently rash in his words and actions. Youth often speak and act before thinking. This impulsiveness should not be a surprise; it should be expected. Just because a young person may look like an adult, it doesn’t mean he/she can respond like an adult. It takes time and experience for some of the synapses of the brain to fully connect and aid sensible decision making.
“And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him” (Matthew 17:25).
Jesus did not confront or correct Peter in front of the collectors of the tax, but that didn’t mean He was ignoring the situation. Jesus was not soft with His disciples; He did a great deal of teaching and correcting when He was alone with them. Very rarely did He do this in the presence of others. Youth don’t appreciate being chastised in public. No one does. Praise people in public. Save correction for behind closed doors.
“Jesus spoke to him first” (Matthew 17:25).
As soon as Peter answered the tax collectors, he probably began to doubt himself wondering if he had responded truthfully. Then he likely began to worry about how he would approach Jesus concerning the issue. Would Jesus be angry with him? Jesus alleviated some of the pressure by speaking first. Youth often need grace extended to them when approaching difficult discussions. The greater the offense or, the more profound the remorse and discomfort associated with it, the greater the grace should be. A parent or authority figure can do much to ease the tension by gently initiating the needed conversation.
“What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others?” (Matthew 17:25).
Jesus didn’t launch into a monologue recapping all He had taught Peter. Jesus didn’t take offense at what Peter had said of Him. Jesus didn’t cut down Peter or attempt to stifle him. In fact, Jesus asked Peter questions to help him come to the proper conclusion on his own. Youth need guidance in learning to think for themselves. When confronted with varying circumstances, one needs to learn to ask him/herself questions like: “Is this legal?” “Will this hurt or help me or others?” “How will this affect my reputation or that of my family or God?” Once a young person learns to independently evaluate circumstances, sifting them through the filter of truth, he/she has a skill that aids his/her success throughout life.
“And when he said, ‘From others,’ Jesus [agreed]” (Matthew 17:26).
Learning to navigate life is complicated. The process involves many ups and downs, successes and failures. Youth need adults to notice when they succeed in making wise decisions. Young people desire affirmation from the significant adults in their lives. This encouragement is part of the training process. Training young people is like gardening. If all one does is kill weeds, never getting around to planting vegetables and caring for them, he/she is not going to have anything good to eat. If your goal is to raise up outstanding young people, you can’t just eradicate negative behavior; you have to reinforce positive behavior. But make sure your encouragement is genuine and specific, not condescending or slathered with flattery. Youth know if someone is sincere.
“And when he said, ‘From others,’ Jesus said to him, ‘Then the sons are free’” (Matthew 17:26).
Those who spot counterfeit money don’t become so perceptive by studying the fakes. They know what is not right, because they have spent an extended length of time studying the genuine bills. Youth are empowered for success when they are taught (and reminded) of who they really are. What a person believes about him/herself determines his/her thoughts and actions. When a person believes he/she is who God says he/she is, his/her thoughts and actions will be like that of their Lord. Jesus used this circumstance and the subsequent discussion as an opportunity to remind Peter that he was a Child of God with all the rights and privileges of that position. I imagine Peter left the house with his chin up and shoulders straighter than he had entered.
“‘However, not to give offense to them’” (Matthew 17:27).
There are seven billion people on planet Earth. If they all allowed themselves to be ruled by selfishness, we would have world-wide mass chaos. That is why Jesus taught, “‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” (Matthew 22:39). Thinking first of others is not natural for humans. Children are born self-focused. Because it is a time of venturing out and learning to stand on one’s own, the teen and young adult years are a particularly selfish time. Youth need to be taught (and reminded) to consider others. Peter, with the help of Jesus, had just concluded that, as a Child of God, he had certain freedoms. But then Jesus reminded him he did have a debt to his fellow man (see Romans 13:8). The collectors of the temple tax had a job to do. They had to answer to authorities. They would be held accountable if they didn’t bring in the required money. Peter needed to set aside his rights and do the right thing by others.
“‘Go to the sea and cast a hook’” (Matthew 17:27).
Paying taxes is an exclusively adult responsibility. I believe Peter had little experience with this new-to-him requirement. But with what he did have much familiarity was fishing. Jesus allowed Peter to solve the adult problem facing him by relying on something he already knew how to do—fish. Youth need opportunities to become successful in adult responsibilities. These opportunities need to be provided in stages building on skills the young one has already acquired. With consistent success, the bar should be moved higher. A young person cannot go from complete dependence to absolute independence in the course of a day just because the calendar indicates he/she has reached the age of adulthood.
“‘Take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth, you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for Me and for yourself’” (Matthew 17:27).
Peter had already told the tax collectors that Jesus would pay His dues. Now, Peter needed to keep his promise. Because He was All-Knowing, Jesus knew just where Peter could “earn” the necessary money. Jesus could have taken a rock and turned it into a shekel, but to make things right, He required Peter to act. Because he did, I am sure Peter never forgot the result of his belief and obedience. Youth need reasonable chances to make up for their mistakes. Considering the severity of the offense and the abilities of the offender, parents, teachers, and coaches may have to be creative in coming up with appropriate opportunities, but when a young person is required to take some level of responsibility in remedying his/her mistakes, the lesson is not soon forgotten.
Jesus had much more faith in the young people surrounding Him than we often do with the ones we know. Sometimes it is our own lack of faith and cynicism that prevents us from embracing all youth have to offer. Young people have life and energy that empowers others. They have unhindered spirits that enable them to try new things and search out adventures. They are often passionate about the injustices they see around them and desire to right these wrongs. These characteristics, directed into appropriate channels, can accomplish much for the good of the World. It was the reckless abandon of David that brought down Goliath. While age often brings with it caution, a young person who, like David, bases his/her assurance on the foundation of God’s character, will have the confidence to slay many “giants.”
Jesus left the fate of the Gospel in the hands of a dozen teenagers and young adults. These included eleven of the original disciples and a zealous, young man named, Saul (see Acts 7:58), whom Jesus later recruited. (Later Saul was renamed Paul). The Twelve likely weren’t old, or fat, or bald. They were probably young, and fit, and strong for the task before them. I am sure they made mistakes and had much to learn, but they were successful in spreading the Good News all over the World because they believed God, they allowed themselves to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and they loved Jesus. Young people, in love with Jesus, can change the World.
1 Scripture quotations marked with ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All Scriptures are taken from the ESV unless otherwise noted.
2 https://www.gotquestions.org/how-old-were-Jesus-disciples.html
3 MacArthur, John. Twelve Ordinary Men. Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, 2002., page 178. For more information on all twelve apostles, check out this book.