A tax bill, a fishing line, and a surprise.

September 29, 2026

THE ANSWER IS A

Peter

“But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”

THE QUESTION

When it was time to pay the temple tax, Jesus sent one of His disciples to go fishing. He said the first fish would have a coin in its mouth, enough to pay for both of them. Who was that disciple?

A) Peter ✓

B) Matthew

C) John

D) Andrew

A closer look

When Jesus and His disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?” (Matthew 17:24). Peter said yes. And when he came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak (Matthew 17:25).

Jesus sent Peter, a fisherman, back to the water with a line. The first fish he caught would have a four-drachma coin in its mouth, exactly enough to cover the tax for two: “for my tax and yours” (Matthew 17:27).

Jesus knew about the need before Peter said a word, and He provided exactly enough, in a way no one saw coming. It’s a small picture of today’s promise: “my God will meet all your needs.”

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