←
Explanation for:
Matthew
17
:
26
But that we may not scandalize them, go to the sea, and cast in a hook: and that fish which shall first come up, take: and when thou hast opened its mouth, thou shalt find a stater: take that, and give it to them for me and thee.
11
more explanations
& daily audio-books
spoken by
– enjoy in Theosis App –
Start your
Bible-journey
with explanations
& daily audio-books
only 4$* per month
{"arr":[{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"In another instance, when addressing the matter of nourishment, Christ disregards temptation, instructing us on when to engage with it and when to overlook it. The very illustration He provides reveals His true identity. Why does He not instruct them to draw from their own resources? As mentioned earlier, it serves to demonstrate that He possesses sovereign authority over all and that even the sea is under His dominion. This power was evident when He commanded the sea and allowed Peter to walk upon the waves. He showcases this same authority now, albeit in a different manner, which also induces profound astonishment. Indeed, it is no trivial matter to declare that the first fish caught from the depths would yield the necessary tribute, indicating that His command, akin to casting a net into the profound, would secure the fish with a coin. However, it is the work of divine power, beyond comprehension, to command the sea to supply this treasure, illustrating that all creation is subject to Him: even when stirred, it abruptly stilled, and amid the tumult of the waves, it served Him, now providing for the required taxes."},{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"As I reflect on this passage, I am struck by two elements: the prescience of the Savior and His extraordinary majesty. His prescience is evident in His knowledge of the statyr that would be found in the mouth of the fish, which would be the first to provide the required payment. His majesty and might are demonstrated in the simultaneous creation of the statyr through His command and in His orchestration of events. Within this profound mystery, the fish symbolizes the one who was taken first from the depths, enduring the bitter depths of the sea, so that through Him—the second Adam—the first Adam might be redeemed. The statyr located in the fish’s mouth, representing his confession, is meant for Peter and the Lord. This gift is truly a valuable offering; however, it is presented in two parts, as the payment is made for Peter as a sinner, while our Lord, being sinless, is free of deceit as noted in Isaiah 53:9. A statyr, which is worth two didrachms, illustrates the likeness of their humanity through the same coin being given for both Lord and servant. This passage, upon simple reflection, teaches us that the Lord was so destitute that He lacked the means to pay the tax for Himself and for the Apostle. Therefore, if one were to question how Judas managed to carry money at times, we can assert that the Lord deemed it inappropriate to utilize the possessions of the poor for His own gain, setting a significant example for us in this regard."},{"author-name":"Caesarius of Nazianzus","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88a176e0f4c3aeca7aee3_Caesarius%20of%20Nazianzus.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"What is the meaning behind the Lord's command to Peter to go, cast the net, and open the mouth of the first fish that he pulls up to find the coin for Himself and Peter to pay the tax collectors? It is believed that the money is instructed to be retrieved from the mouth of a fish caught from the depths, symbolizing our existence submerged in life’s hardships, overwhelmed by the passions of sin. Should this interpretation differ, it can be understood that we are bound by death and ensnared in darkness. The Lord's directive for the coin to be given for both Himself and Peter signifies a restoration of humanity to its original form. He chose to be human, aligning Himself with our experiences, yet remaining untouched by destructive evil and exempt from tribulation. In providing the coin for Himself and Peter, He willingly 'endures' for the Church, as He declared to Peter, \\"Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My Church,\\" personally guiding its foundation. The ultimate reward for souls is Divine wisdom, with Christ as the cornerstone, of whom the sacred Writer affirmed, \\"For the Jews the Law was at the head of the corner.\\" Additionally, he conveyed on the Lord's behalf, \\"In the beginning of the Scriptures it was written of Me.\\" John explicitly states, \\"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God,\\" Who took on flesh, instructing us through His words concerning the fish and the coin. He commands us to respect the authority of kings and rulers, as they in turn mandate our duties—not in a petty manner but in accordance with the law, becoming instruments of God’s proclamation. If He is to be considered merely a man, as some claim without reason, how could He have known that the fish from the depths would have a coin in its mouth? The coin is not hidden within its body but lies in its mouth. Moreover, this particular fish would be the first to be captured, serving as an example for others to follow. This is the domain of God—to foresee the emergence of that fish which carries the treasure in its mouth. Indeed, through the unseen power of God, the fish was guided by the One who, in times of old, commanded the great sea creature to swallow Jonah and to keep him safely for three days in the deep, subsequently releasing him unharmed. The fish awaited the first moment to fulfill what was divinely ordained. In its obedience, it sets an example amid human need, as He who created all things from nothing and designed the coin, placed it in the fish, and brought it to the fisherman, compelling Peter to cast his line into the sea. Concerning Him, the king and sacred Writer remarked, \\"Our God is in heaven and earth, in the sea and in all abysses. All that He willed, He created.\\""},{"author-name":"Ephraem the Syrian","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88b589fc3e99eb7bb1839_Ephraem%20the%20Syrian.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"To avoid being led into temptation, that is, to prevent them from becoming disillusioned with the Pharisees and reacting against them when it becomes clear that they are intent on provoking conflict, He instructed, “Go to the sea and cast a net there.” Since they perceive Me as an outsider, let the sea illustrate that I am both a Priest and a Monarch. Therefore, proceed and pay the toll as if you were among the outsiders. Simon, agreeing to pay the tax, took the net and went to cast it into the sea, and his companions followed him. Upon drawing up a fish that contained a statyr in its mouth, a symbol of authority, those haughty individuals were revealed and humiliated, for they failed to recognize that the Levite was the one whom both the sea and the fish declared as King and Priest. Thus, the manifestation of this High Priest was acknowledged by all creation, and everything hurried to render homage to Him in their distinct manners. The Most High conveyed His greetings through Gabriel, and the Heavenly Beings through a star; the Gentiles offered gifts via the Magi, and the long-silent prophets dispatched scribes to declare, “From the city of Bethlehem a king must come forth” (cf. Matt. 2:6). The statyr, which was found in the fish’s throat, and which bore the likeness of a monarch, stood as evidence to those who sought discord and annoyance, confirming that even the sea had yielded obedience to Him whom they deemed an outsider."},{"author-name":"Ambrose of Milan","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88871ceef8c96e0998cd0_Ambrose%20of%20Milan.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Understand this: the first fish you catch will provide what is required. These words demonstrate that Christians must submit entirely to the governing authorities and not resist the commands of earthly rulers. If the Son of God Himself paid taxes, how can you justify not doing the same? If He, lacking any personal belongings, fulfilled His tax obligations, how can you—who possess earthly goods—not adhere to the responsibilities esteemed by societal customs? The tribute that the Savior indicated must be paid can be seen as the atoning sacrifice He willingly made for our transgressions. The tribute is symbolically found in the fish's mouth for a reason; the Scripture teaches: “by your words you shall be justified” (Matt. 12:37). Our verbal acknowledgment of sin leads to eternal salvation, as the Apostle affirms: “with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation” (Rom. 10:10).\\n\\nThere is an additional lesson from the apostles to heed: cast the hook and take the first fish that surfaces. It is Peter alone who receives this directive from the Lord, serving as a vital spiritual lesson about being obedient to higher authorities (cf. 1 Pet. 2:13), ensuring no one dares to disregard the commands of secular rulers. If the Son of God paid His taxes, who are you to consider yourself exempt? He settled His dues while possessing nothing, and yet you, in pursuit of worldly wealth, refuse to honor the laws of the land. Why do you elevate yourself in arrogance above this world, submitting instead to it through your base desires? He fulfilled the two drachmas, symbolizing our redemption and mortal existence, forecasted in the law (cf. 2 Chron. 24:5-9, Nehem. 10:32), documented in the Gospel, and not coincidentally located in the fish's mouth. For we understand, “by your words you shall be justified” (cf. Matt. 12:37). The cost of our eternal life is found in our confession, as it is stated: “with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation” (Rom. 10:10). \\n\\nThis initial fish may represent the first martyr (see Acts 6:8 - Acts 7:60), who had a didrachma in his mouth—equivalent to the tax due. For us, Christ embodies our didrachma, and the martyr Stephen held this treasure when he spoke of Christ amid his suffering. Let us now return to our interpretation and embrace apostolic humility."},{"author-name":"Isidore of Pelusium","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88d94130e668938c9ae9d_Isidore%20of%20Pelusium.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":5,"exegesis-text":"The hidden coin within the fish that the apostle Peter was instructed to retrieve from the depths symbolizes the passion-laden figure that the Lord restores to its original state within Himself. He took on human form, experiencing all that we encounter, and does not allow us to resist the authority of the king when his commands are innocuous. In His own being, He demonstrates the effectiveness of divine power."},{"author-name":"Cyrill of Alexandria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88a8ea5c988a4fc073480_Cyrill%20of%20Alexandria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":5,"exegesis-text":"He had the power to create a miracle even from the earth, yet He chose instead to convey a profound truth through the sea. The fish symbolize us, extracted from the tumult of life, akin to being rescued from the depths. Through the apostolic proclamation, we carry Christ within us—the royal image that was sacrificed as a dual redemption: for the salvation of both our souls and bodies, or for the two people, the Jewish and the Gentile. It liberates both the affluent and the destitute, as the ancient law consistently calls for an equal contribution from both rich and poor."},{"author-name":"Maximus the Confessor","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8951a1dea23713695271e_Maximus%20the%20Confessor.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":7,"exegesis-text":"What does the didrachma signify that is requested by the Lord, and what is the fish that Peter is told to catch, retrieve the coin from its mouth, and present to those who seek it? The individuals asking for the didrachma symbolize our innate desires. They approached Peter—representing the active presence of the Lord, who is humble and obedient to the Father as a disciple—demanding that He pay this tax, a common imposition on all humanity. Yet, the Lord, as God and Sovereign, illustrated through a parable His freedom from such obligations. Nonetheless, since He chose to embrace our humanity and truly assumed its pure inclinations, He consented to fulfill the natural requirement, but without sin. When the Lord originally formed man, He instilled in him two essential principles: the first, the original principle of the soul, and the second, determined by Providence, the principle of the flesh. However, humanity proved unfaithful to both, harming the first through disobedience to the commandment, and undermining the second by overstepping the boundaries established by nature. This latter principle became entangled in desires, leading mankind into the depths of vanity. Hence, when the Lord was called upon to contribute to nature's dues, He—being the Lord and Restorer of nature—extracted the corrupt desire from the tumult of life through His active word, recovered the principle obscured by that desire, namely the rightful use of the flesh intended for enjoyment, and restored the principle to nature, purged of any misuse."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"From the depths of the sea, He commanded it to be drawn forth, demonstrating that as the Sovereign over all creation, He exercises authority over the sea as well. In obedience to His will, the sea produced fish to serve as tribute for the Lord, not only for Himself but also for the first of His disciples, for Peter too was the firstborn among them. He had previously manifested this truth in various instances—such as when He calmed the tempest and when He walked upon the waves as if they were dry land. Now, He reveals it in yet another manner, consistently displaying His dominion. The statir, a type of coin valued at two didrachmas, illustrates this. Notice how He does not seek to put the Jewish people to the test; similarly, He refrained from challenging the Pharisees when discussing provisions. By this, He indicates the need for discernment in approaching temptation—at times, we must guard ourselves against it, while at other times, we should deliberately choose to overlook it. Overall, it is essential to disregard temptation in matters aligned with God's commandments, and in our actions driven by free will, we ought to steer clear of such trials, as instructed by Basil the Great."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"To avoid the perception of arrogance and dismissiveness, and to ensure we do not lead others astray, we should contribute not out of obligation but to address their shortcomings. This teaches us the importance of refraining from becoming a source of temptation when it does not affect us adversely. When our well-being is at stake, we ought not to concern ourselves with those who may be unreasonably influenced. \\n\\nTo demonstrate His divinity and dominion over creation, Christ instructs Peter to retrieve a stater from a fish. This action reveals a profound mystery. Our humanity is akin to a fish, submerged in the abyss of disbelief, yet the message of the apostles has brought forth a stater from within us, which consists of the words of the Lord and the confession of Christ. Thus, whosoever affirms Christ carries within them a stater of two didrachms. \\n\\nAs both divine and human, Christ embodies two distinct natures. This stater represents the sacrificial death of Christ, intended for both Jews and Gentiles, for the righteous and the sinners. Observe a person who treasures silver and gold; they are akin to a fish navigating the ocean of life's temptations. However, if a teacher like Peter approaches, he can draw the gold and silver from their grasp. While some interpret stater as a precious stone found in Syria, others understand it as a quarter of a gold coin."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"To avoid misleading the tax collectors into thinking that we reject the obligation of temple tribute and thus appear to scorn the temple and oppose the law, Jesus instructed them to go to the sea, referring to the Sea of Galilee, where Capernaum was located. He assured that they would discover a statyr, a Greek silver coin valued at four drachmas and a Jewish shekel, which was sufficient to cover the temple tax for two individuals. This demonstrates the divinity of Jesus Christ. If He knew beforehand that the fish Peter would catch would have a statyr in its mouth, He possesses omniscience. If He placed the statyr in the mouth of the fish, then He is omnipotent."}]}
Support this project and get full access for only 4$/month
Commentarie text can’t be scrolled on PC at the moment. Please use your phone. We’re working on a fix.
