Matthew 17:24-27 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Does not your master pay tribute?… I. THE FREEDOM OF THE SON. To this position and privilege Christ here lays claim for Himself. What a deduction must be made from the wisdom of His teaching, and from the meekness of His Spirit, if that claim was an illusion! For what did He reply? 1. That He had no need of a ransom for His soul. 2. That He needed no temple to worship in. II. THE VOLUNTARY SUBMISSION OF THE SON TO THE BONDS FROM WHICH HE IS FREE. Self-sacrifice even in the smallest details of His life. III. THE SUPERNATURAL GLORY THAT EVER ACCOMPANIES THE HUMILIATION OF THE SON. He so submits as, even in submitting, to assert His Divine dignity. In the midst of the act of submission, majesty flashes forth, A multiform miracle — containing many miracles in one — a miracle of omniscience, and a miracle of influence over the lower creatures, is wrought. The first fish that rises carries in its mouth the exact stun needed. The miracle was for a trivial end in appearance, but it was a demonstration, though to one man only at first, yet through him to all the world, that this Christ, in His lowliness, is the Everlasting Son of the Father. IV. THE SUFFICENCY FOR US ALL OF WHAT HE PROVIDES. That which He brings to us by supernatural act, far greater than the miracle here, is enough for all the claims and obligations that God, or man, or law, or conscience, have upon any of us. His perfect obedience and stainless life discharged for Himself all the obligations under which He came as a man, to law and righteousness; His perfect life and His mighty death are for us the full discharge of all that can be brought against us. (A. Maclaren, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? |
    |