Not wishing to cause offense, Jesus paid the tax as a testimony to others, even though he was not obligated to do so. Had he not paid, the skeptical people could have been led into sin by accusing him of neglecting the service of the Lord. Jesus submits himself, for others’ benefit, to the law at the time—as Mediator, to fulfill all righteousness (Matthew 3:15)—even though most of the people have rejected him and the church is basically already free from the synagogue (Matthew 16:18). Since the collectors did not address Peter mainly to collect the money but to oppose Jesus, Jesus, along with Peter, likely wanted to prevent them from stumbling and rejecting him as the Son of God. To win them over, Jesus makes the payment, though he is not obliged to, so that they cannot wrongly see him as despising the temple and its sacrificial service. Jesus seeks to ensure that the non-sons
are not rejected.
Jesus did not wish to cause offense, and therefore he paid the tax as a testimony to others, even though he was under no obligation to do so.1 Had Jesus refused to pay, the people—unwilling to accept his word—could have drawn false conclusions and even been led into sin: for example, by accusing him of neglecting the service of the Lord. Jesus therefore submits himself, even here, for the benefit of others, to the law at the time; as Mediator he fulfills all righteousness (Matthew 3:15), even though the people have, in principle, rejected him and the church has, in principle, already been set free from the synagogue (Matthew 16:18).2
Given that the collectors did not address Peter primarily to collect the money but to make Jesus suspect, it is likely that Jesus, together with Peter, wanted to prevent them from stumbling and rejecting him as the Son of God. To win them over, Jesus then makes the payment, though he is not obliged to, so that they cannot misunderstand him as despising the temple and its sacrificial service. In doing so, Jesus prevents them from stumbling. Ultimately, the Son of God seeks to save the non-sons
and works to ensure that they are not rejected.3
27 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.”