The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 2 — Section 178

thnt Jesus was at the bend or a band of dis- teach himself. What thinkeat thou, Simon t oiplcs, who would be influenced by his ex- By such familiar addrcse he claim& hia ample. We may in this inquiry see other attention. The kings of the earth. He motives besides the obvious one. If Jesus contrasts these wil.h the Kiug of heaven, to paid the rate now without question, he would w.bom a referonce is implied in the Lord's prove that he was nothing more than an subsequent words. Custom ( .,..,,:,1) or tribute ordinary Jew, with no claim to a higher ( "'I vo-ov ). The former of these words ( wbich origin or a Divine mission. Though not a wou Id be better rendered tolls) signifies the priest or Levite, Jesus might have claimed customs l&id on goods and merchandise and exemption as a recognized rabbi, and the other such peyments-11ectigalia, as the collectors may have desired to ascertain Homans called them ; the tribute (not the whether he would do this. There we.s, too, snme word as that so translated in ver. 2-l) at this time a sc-ct which, in its furious is the cemm, the oapite.tion tax ( l11"11<•,PJ.- patriotism, refused to contribute aught to AC1Jov) im po3ed upon every oitizen of the the temple so long as the holy city was empire. Strangers (dMoTplow). The con- profaned by the presence of the heathen. trast is between the family of the mon11rch Did Christ belong to this body? And and those who are not oonneoted with him would be carry out their programme? If by any relationship. from any cause be declined the contribution, Ver. 26.-0f strangers. Peter is brought this abstention would give a handle to those to the desired point. He e.newers, as any who were not prepared to endorse his claims; one would, that in earthly kingdoms the the breach of such a generally recognized children of the ruling monarch a.re exempt obligation would raise a prejudice egainst from taxes, which a.re exacted from all other him, and weaken the effect of his acts and subjects. Then a.re the children free. The teaching. Some such motives may have comparison required the use of the plural, contributed to inspire the question now though the reference is properly confined to- asked. himself. The deduction leads naturally to· Ver. 25.-B:e aaith, Yea. Without con- the leBBOn of Christ's immunity. He vir- sulting bis Master, or even letting him tually implies (though the inference is no~ know of the demand, Peter answered affirma- developed in words), "I am the Son of tively. He knew that Christ never with- God, as you, Peter, have acknowledged: drew from conscientious obligations; Jesus this tax is levied for the house and servioe may have pa.id the rate in former years, e.nd of Ged, whose Son I am; therefore I am might he confidently supposed to be ready free from the obligation of paying it: U to do so again. But was there not another cannot be required that I should pay tribute feeling that dictated the quick reply, and to my Father." Looked at in its original made him pledge JeBUB to the payment? nature, the impost could not with pro- He had e. fear at bis heart, caDBed by Christ's priety be demanded from him. H was an late we.nring and prophecy, that me.de him offering of atonement, f\ ransom of souls. morbidly anxious to live at peace with all How could he give money in expiation of men at this conjuncture. As far as in him himself-be who had come to give his life a lay be would shield his beloved Master from ransom for others ? Why should he ransom the dread result which be anticipated; at himself from sin and death, who bad come any rate, be would endeavour to postpone to take away sin and destroy death and the fate.I day; no offence that be could open everlasting life to all men? There obviate should be given. So, thinking only was need to make the point olear now that of present safety, forgetting or wilfully Christ had openly asserted his Messiahship ignoring Ohrist's true position, be answered and his Divine nature. To pay the demand- hastily, "Yes." Whenhe(Peter)we.s oome without explanation, after the statement of into the houe. The collectors had ad- his Divinity, might occasion serious mi&- dressed Peter in the street or at t!Je door, apprehension in the minds of his followers. and the apostle, having given his reply, So he gently but convincingly shows that hastened into tue house where Jesus was, bis claim of Sonship exempted him from all• either to obtain the necessary C('ine or to liability of the impost. make the demand known. Prevented him. Ver. 27.-Lest we should offend them,. The Revised Version paraphrases, spoke first came them to stumbl.a. In his large charity to him, which gives the meRning (though be would not take the advantage of hia- the Greek does not warrant such trans- position to avoid the tu. Though above lation )-Jesus anticipated what Peter wae the Law, he would place himself under the- going to say by showing that he knew Law. Offence would he given by the non- the apostle's thoughts and all that had pe.yment. His motive would be unknown passed outside the hoU8P.. He takes the and misunderstood (see on ver. 24). The oppnrtunity of enforcing a needful lesson, people would attribute it to c11price, secta- IDllking the wtener, in the Socratic method, rianilm, contempt of religion; they would.' <111, :s:m.1-27.] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. 181