The Bible

 

Matthew 17:24-27 : The Temple Tax

Study

24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?

25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?

26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.

27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

Commentary

 

Fish

  

Fish represent knowledge. Fish laid upon the fire, as in John 21:9, represent the reformation of the natural man by the good of love, of which description were all the men of that time, in consequence of the complete vastation of the church. Fish signify sensual affections which are the ultimate affections of the natural man. Fish sometimes also represent people in common truth or conversely in external falsity. Broiled fish, as in Luke 24:42, signify the truth of good relating to the natural and sensual man, and honeycomb, the good of the same truth. To make as the fishes of the sea, signifies to make altogether sensual. Fish, as in Habakkuk 1:14-16, signify people in faith separate from charity.

(References: Apocalypse Revealed 405; Luke 24)