Matthew 17:27
25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?
26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.
Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- “But so that we may not offend them, go to the sea, cast a hook, and take the first fish you catch. When you open its mouth, you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for My tax and yours.”
- KJV
- Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
- WEB
- But, lest we cause them to stumble, go to the sea, cast a hook, and take up the first fish that comes up. When you have opened its mouth, you will find a stater coin. Take that, and give it to them for me and you.”
- ASV
- But, lest we cause them to stumble, go thou to the sea, and cast a hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a shekel: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
- DARBY
- But that we may not be an offence to them, go to the sea and cast a hook, and take the first fish that comes up, and when thou hast opened its mouth thou wilt find a stater; take that and give it to them for me and thee.
- BLB
- But so that we might not offend them, having gone to the sea, cast a hook, and take the first fish having come up. And having opened its mouth, you will find a stater. Having taken that, give [it] to them for Me and you.”
- ÅB
- Men for at vi ikke skal være anstøt, gå ned til sjøen, kast ut en krok, og ta den første fisken som kommer opp. Og når du åpner munnen på den, skal du finne en stater. Ta den og gi til dem for meg og deg!»
- OTB
- Men for at vi ikke skal støte dem, gå til sjøen og kast ut en krok. Ta den første fisken du fanger; åpne dens munn, og du vil finne en mynt på fire drakmer. Ta den og gi den til dem for min og din skatt.”
- B1930
- Men forat vi ikke skal gi dem anstøt, så gå ned til sjøen, kast ut en krok, og ta den første fisk som kommer op; og når du åpner munnen på den, skal du finne en stater; ta den og gi dem for mig og dig!
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
2 Corinthians 6:3
Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
Read in context1 Corinthians 8:9
But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
Read in context1 Corinthians 9:19–22
For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
Read in context2 Corinthians 8:9
For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
Read in context1 Corinthians 8:13
Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
Read in contextRomans 15:1–3
We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
Read in contextMatthew 15:12–14
Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?
Read in contextJonah 1:17
Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
Read in context