Many Bible scholars argue that if Jesus did a miracle with the fish, it would have been merely to save his own position, which they see as unworthy of his character. Some suggest that he was urging Peter to catch a fish and sell it in order to pay the temple tax with the proceeds. If that were so, it must have been a very large fish: worth four days’ wages (Matthew 17:24)! Matthew is simply describing a literal, miraculous event, even if he does not expressly say that Peter did what Jesus commanded. Jesus here shows both his omniscience (knowing of this fish) and omnipotence (ensuring that Peter would catch it), showing that he does not fulfill his tax obligations as a slave to the law, but as the Son of God, who stands above both law and temple. A silver shekel equaled four drachmas, exactly enough for both Jesus and Peter, who probably had not had a chance to pay at the time of the previous collection. We cannot explain the miracle, but we may infer that the shekel was not formed there, but placed in the fish’s mouth by God.
Many Bible scholars find it difficult to accept the command and miracle of Jesus here in Matthew 17:27 as authentic. They argue that Jesus performed a miracle merely to save his own position, which they consider inconsistent with his character. Some even suggest that this verse should be understood to mean that Jesus implicitly urged Peter to catch a fish and sell it in order to pay the temple tax with the proceeds. If that had been the case, it must have been an extraordinarily large fish—one worth four days’ wages (Matthew 17:24)! The simplest and most straightforward explanation, however, is that Matthew is indeed describing a literal, miraculous event, even though he does not expressly say that Peter continued to do what Jesus commanded. Only he who knows all things could have known of this fish, and only he who possesses all power could have arranged everything in such a way as to ensure that the fish bit on Peter’s hook. Jesus here demonstrates both his omniscience and omnipotence, showing that he does not fulfill his tax obligations as a slave to the law, but as the Son of God—One who stands above both the law and the temple. A silver shekel was equal to four drachmas, which was precisely enough for both Jesus and Peter. It is highly probable that Jesus had been prevented from paying at the time of the previous collection.1
Moreover, the text itself allows no interpretation other than recognizing the actual command to catch a fish and to use the shekel he would find to pay the temple tax. That Matthew does not record the outcome is irrelevant, for it is evident that Peter obeyed. The money for the tax was obtained in an extraordinary manner. What is striking about this miracle is not that a fish had a shekel in its mouth—such coincidences can occur—but that Jesus could command Peter to catch that very fish, knowing in advance that it would be the first one he would draw up. This was no matter of chance; the same hand that gave the command ensured its fulfillment. The One who commands Peter also commands all that lives in the waters below. This miracle demonstrates Jesus’ omniscience and omnipotence and confirms that the Son of God, though free from temple obligations, willingly fulfilled them.2 We cannot explain a miracle, but we may surmise that the shekel was not formed there, but placed in the fish’s mouth by God. The freedom and omnipotence of Christ are thereby revealed here in a most remarkable way.3
27 Mais, pour ne pas les scandaliser, va à la mer, jette l'hameçon, et tire le premier poisson qui viendra; ouvre-lui la bouche, et tu trouveras un statère. Prends-le, et donne-le-leur pour moi et pour toi.