the didrachms)1 the Hebrew ?p^, shekel, is frequently rendered didpa^ov by the LXX. — oi iMflftfawrtt) they that received) sc. for the Temple.2
25. Na/, yes) It is clear therefore that our Lord had paid it the previous year.3 — ore eifffadev slg T^V o<xiav} when he ivas come
1 " In the original [i.e., the Greek of St Matthew], the ' tribute-money' which was demanded, and the 'piece of money,' of twice its value, which Peter was to find in the mouth of the fish, are discriminated by their proper names. The former is called didrachma, or ' two drachmae,' and the latter stater. The latter was of equivalent value to the Hebrew shekel, and was equal to four drachma ; and, consequently, two drachmae were equivalent to half the stater and shekel. Leaving the terms untranslated, Peter is asked if his Master paid the didrachma 9 and Peter is told that he should find a stater in the mouth of the fish. The stater was also called tdradrachmon, from its containing four drachmae. It exhibited on one side the head of Minerva, and on the reverse an owl, together with a short inscription. After the de struction of the Temple, the Jews were obliged to pay this tribute to the Romans ; and the passage in which the historian relates this, affords one of those minute incidental corroborations which have been so abundantly ad duced in evidence of the verity of the evangelical narratives ; for he states that the emperor imposed a tribute of two drachmae (§!>o §p«%aaf) upon the Jews, wherever they were, to be paid every year into the Capitol, in the same manner as it had been previously paid into the Temple at Jerusalem — thus concurring with the Evangelist, that the half-shekel was usually paid in the form of two drachmae, or of a single coin of that value. The tax continued to be paid to the Romans in the time of Origen. It is understood, however, that the Temple tribute, though collected in heathen coin, was to be exchanged for Hebrew money before it could be finally paid into the Temple — pro bably on account of the idolatrous symbols which the former so generally bore. Hence the vocation of the money-changers, whom our Saviour drove from the Temple. They were accustomed, on and after the fifteenth of the month Adar, to seat themselves in the Temple, in order to exchange for those who desired it, Greek and Roman coins for Jewish half-shekels." — Kitto's Illustrated Commentary, in loc. — See also Words worth, in loc. — (I. B.)
2 The exaction of this Temple tribute usually took place on the 15th day of the month Adar. And, in accordance with this, the length (interval) of time admirably corresponds to the events and journeys, as frequently re corded, from the feast of dedication, Johnx. 22, up to this place, and further in continuation up to the Sabbath, of which we have the mention in John xii. 1. Both the Sabbaths noticed, Luke xiii. 10, xiv. 1, occupy the middle portion in that time; and the raising of Lazurus took place a few days before the solemn and triumphant entry of our Lord. — Harm., p. 380.
3 But, meanwhile, having been solemnly recognised as the Son of GOD, He most becomingly, at this time, enters this protest in presence of Peter in vindication of His own dignity. — Harm., p. 380.