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.

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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

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