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Chapter 48—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 sought the house that
was to be His temporary home. During the remainder of His stay in
Galilee, it was His object to instruct the disciples rather than labor
for the multitudes.
Christ had again told them that He was to be put to death and
to rise again. And He added that He was to be betrayed into the
hands of His enemies. The disciples did not even now comprehend
His words. Although the shadow of a great sorrow fell upon them,
they disputed among themselves which should be greatest in the
kingdom. This strife they thought to conceal from Jesus. Jesus read
their thoughts and longed to counsel them, but for this He awaited a
quiet hour when their hearts should be open to receive His words.
Soon after they reached town the collector of the temple revenue
questioned Peter, “Doth not your Master pay tribute?” This religious
contribution every Jew was required to pay annually. A refusal to
pay would be, in the estimation of the rabbis, a grievous sin. Now
His enemies saw an opportunity of casting discredit upon Him. In
the collector of the tribute they found a ready ally.
Zealous for his Master’s honor, Peter hastily answered that Jesus
would pay the tribute. But some classes were exempt from payment
of the tribute. The priests and Levites, still regarded as especially
devoted to the temple, were not required to make the annual contribu-
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tion for its support. Prophets also were exempt. In requiring tribute
from Jesus, the rabbis were setting aside His claim as a prophet and
were dealing with Him as with any commonplace person. A refusal
to pay would be represented as disloyalty to the temple; on the other
hand, payment would be taken as justifying their rejection of Him as
a prophet. By his answer to the collector, Peter virtually sanctioned
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