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Who Is the Greatest?
This chapter is based on Matthew 17:22-27; 18:1-20; Mark 9:30-50;
Luke 9:46-48.
Returning to Capernaum, Jesus quietly went to the house that
was to be His temporary home. During the rest of His stay in Galilee,
He intended to instruct the disciples rather than labor for the crowds.
Christ had told them again that He would be put to death and rise
again. And He added that He would be betrayed into the hands of
His enemies. The disciples did not comprehend His words even now.
Although the shadow of a great sorrow came over them, they argued
among themselves about who would be greatest in the kingdom.
They tried to conceal this strife from Jesus. He read their thoughts
and longed to counsel them, but He waited for a quiet time to do
this, when their hearts would be open to receive His words.
Soon after they reached town, the collector of the temple revenue
questioned Peter, “Does your Teacher not pay the temple tax?” This
religious contribution every Jew was required to pay each year. A
refusal to pay would be a grievous sin, in the opinion of the rabbis.
Now Jesus’ enemies saw an opportunity to discredit Him. They
found a ready ally in the collector of the tax.
Zealous for his Master’s honor, Peter was quick to answer that
Jesus would pay the tax. But some classes were exempt from paying
the tax. The priests and Levites, still considered to be especially
devoted to the temple, were not required to make the annual contri-
bution for its support. Prophets also were exempt. In requiring the
tax from Jesus, the rabbis were setting aside His claim as a prophet
and were dealing with Him as with any ordinary person. If He re-
fused to pay, they would represent this as disloyalty to the temple.
On the other hand, if He paid, they would take this as justifying their
rejection of Him as a prophet. Peter’s answer to the collector virtu-
ally endorsed the false idea that the priests and rulers were trying to
promote.
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