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This tribute was not a civil tax； but a religious contribution； which every Jew was required to pay annually for the support of the temple。 A refusal to pay the tribute would be regarded as disloyalty to the temple；in the estimation of the rabbis a most grievous sin。 The Saviour's attitude toward the rabbinical laws； and His plain reproofs to the defenders of tradition； afforded a pretext for the charge that He was seeking to overthrow the temple service。 Now His enemies saw an opportunity of casting discredit upon Him。 In the collector of the tribute they found a ready ally。
Peter saw in the collector's question an insinuation touching Christ's loyalty to the temple。 Zealous for his Master's honor； he hastily answered； without consulting Him； that Jesus would pay the tribute。
But Peter only partially comprehended the purpose of his questioner。 There were some classes who were held to be exempt from the payment of the tribute。 In the time of Moses； when the Levites were set apart for the service of the sanctuary； they were given no inheritance among the people。 The Lord said； 〃Levi hath no part nor inheritance with his brethren； the Lord is his inheritance。〃 Deut。 10：9。 In the days of Christ the priests and Levites were still regarded as especially devoted to the temple； and were not required to make the annual contribution for its support。 Prophets also were exempted from this payment。 In requiring the tribute from Jesus； the rabbis were setting aside His claim as a prophet or teacher； and were dealing with Him as with any commonplace person。 A refusal on His part to pay the tribute would be represented as disloyalty to the temple； while； on the other hand； the payment of it would be taken as justifying their rejection of Him as a prophet。
Only a little before； Peter had acknowledged Jesus as the Son of God； but he now missed an opportunity of setting forth the character of his Master。 By his answer to the collector； that Jesus would pay the tribute； he had virtually sanctioned the false conception of Him to which the priests and rulers were trying to give currency。
When Peter entered the house； the Saviour made no reference to what had taken place； but inquired； 〃What thinkest thou； Simon？ of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute？ of their own children； or of strangers？〃 Peter answered； 〃Of strangers。〃 And Jesus said； 〃Then are the children free。〃 While the people of a country are taxed for the maintenance of their king； the monarch's own children are exempt。 So Israel； the professed people of God； were required to
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maintain His service； but Jesus； the Son of God； was under no such obligation。 If priests and Levites were exempt because of their connection with the temple； how much more He to whom the temple was His Father's house。
If Jesus had paid the tribute without a protest； He would virtually have acknowledged the justice of the claim； and would thus have denied His divinity。 But while He saw good to meet the demand； He denied the claim upon which it was based。 In providing for the payment of the tribute He gave evidence of His divine character。 It was made manifest that He was one with God； and therefore was not under tribute as a mere subject of the kingdom。
〃Go thou to the sea；〃 He directed Peter； 〃and cast an hook； and take up the fish that first cometh up； and when thou hast opened his mouth； thou shalt find a piece of money： that take； and give unto them for Me and thee。〃
Though He had clothed His divinity with humanity； in this miracle He revealed His glory。 It was evident that this was He who through David had declared； 〃Every beast of the forest is Mine； and the cattle upon a thousand hills。 I know all the fowls of the mountains； and the wild beasts of the field are Mine。 If I were hungry； I would not tell thee： for the world is Mine； and the fullness thereof。〃 Ps。 50：10…12。
While Jesus made it plain that He was under no obligation to pay the tribute； He entered into no controversy with the Jews in regard to the matter； for they would have misinterpreted His words； and turned them against Him。 Lest He should give offense by withholding the tribute； He did that which He could not justly be required to do。 This lesson would be of great value to His disciples。 Marked changes were soon to take place in their relation to the temple service； and Christ taught them not to place themselves needlessly in antagonism to established order。 So far as possible； they were to avoid giving occasion for misinterpretation of their faith。 While Christians are not to sacrifice one principle of truth； they should avoid controversy whenever it is possible to do so。
When Christ and the disciples were alone in the house； while Peter was gone to the sea； Jesus called the others to Him； and asked； 〃What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way？〃 The presence of Jesus； and His question； put the matter in an entirely different light from that in which it had appeared to them while they were contending
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by the way。 Shame and self…condemnation kept them silent。 Jesus had told them that He was to die for their sake； and their selfish ambition was in painful contrast to His unselfish love。
When Jesus told them that He was to be put to death and to rise again； He was trying to draw them into conversation in regard to the great test of their faith。 Had they been ready to receive what He desired to make known to them； they would have been saved bitter anguish and despair。 His words would have brought consolation in the hour of bereavement and disappointment。 But although He had spoken so plainly of what awaited Him； His mention of the fact that He was soon to go to Jerusalem again kindled their hope that the kingdom was about to be set up。 This had led to questioning as to who should fill the highest offices。 On Peter's return from the sea； the disciples told him of the Saviour's question； and at last one ventured to ask Jesus； 〃Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven？〃
The Saviour gathered His disciples about Him； and said to them； 〃If any man desire to be first； the same shall be last of all； and servant of all。〃 There was in these words a solemnity and impressiveness which the disciples were far from comprehending。 That which Christ discerned they could not see。 They did not understand the nature of Christ's kingdom； and this ignorance was the apparent cause of their contention。 But the real cause lay deeper。 By explaining the nature of the kingdom； Christ might for the time have quelled their strife； but this would not have touched the underlying cause。 Even after they had received the fullest knowledge； any question of precedence might have renewed the trouble。 Thus disaster would have been brought to the church after Christ's departure。 The strife for the highest place was the outworking of that same spirit which was the beginning of the great controversy in the worlds above； and which had brought Christ from heaven to die。 There rose up before Him a vision of Lucifer； the 〃son of the morning；〃 in glory surpassing