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Matthew 17:24. Taxes 10 Jul 2023

Mat 17:24 When they reached Capernaum,
the collectors of the half-shekel came to Peter and said,
'Does your master not pay the half-shekel?'
Mat 17:25 'Yes,' he replied, and went into the house. ...

Excerpt from THE NEW JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1985 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.

It reads so easy. I struggle. Which tax collector would ask politely: 'Does your master NOT pay?' I would expect a, 'Pay, or you will be punished.' Perhaps the temple tax was voluntary.

Now, what kind of answer is the 'yes' of Peter? In Dutch language this would be very confusing. As well the expression 'the house' is confusing to me. It could have been Peter's house. The style of unrolling the story gives a mindset of doubt.

Prayer

Jesus, guide me in dealing with uncertainties and dilemmas.