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Matthew 17:24-27 Tacky attacks on a senseless tax
by RS  admin@creationpie.com : 1024 x 640


1. Matthew 17:24-27 Tacky attacks on a senseless tax
Note: This page needs split into several smaller pages.

2. Matthew 17:24-27 Verses with Greek
Verse routeMatthew 17:24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? [kjv]
Verse routeελθοντων δε αυτων εις καφαρναουμ προσηλθον οι τα διδραχμα λαμβανοντες τω πετρω και ειπαν ο διδασκαλος υμων ου τελει τα διδραχμα [gnt]
Verse route17:25 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? [kjv]
Verse routeλεγει ναι και ελθοντα εις την οικιαν προεφθασεν αυτον ο ιησους λεγων τι σοι δοκει σιμων οι βασιλεις της γης απο τινων λαμβανουσιν τελη η κηνσον απο των υιων αυτων η απο των αλλοτριων [gnt]
Verse route17:26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. [kjv]
Verse route ειποντος δε απο των αλλοτριων εφη αυτω ο ιησους αραγε ελευθεροι εισιν οι υιοι [gnt]
Verse route17:27 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. [kjv]
Verse routeινα δε μη σκανδαλισωμεν αυτους πορευθεις εις θαλασσαν βαλε αγκιστρον και τον αναβαντα πρωτον ιχθυν αρον και ανοιξας το στομα αυτου ευρησεις στατηρα εκεινον λαβων δος αυτοις αντι εμου και σου [gnt]


3. Matthew 17:24
 All 
KJV: And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?
Greek: ελθοντων δε αυτων εις καπερναουμ καφαρναουμ προσηλθον οι τα διδραχμα λαμβανοντες τω πετρω και ειπον ειπαν ο διδασκαλος υμων ου τελει τα διδραχμα
Wessex: Aend þa he com to kafarnaum. þa ge-neahlahton to petre. þa þet gafel namen. & þus cweðen. Eower lareow ne gylt he gafel.
Wycliffe: And he seide, Yhis. And whanne he was comen in to the hous, Jhesus cam bifor hym, and seide, Symount, what semeth to thee? Kyngis of erthe, of whom taken thei tribute? of her sones, ether of aliens?
Luther: Da sie nun gen Kapernaum kamen, gingen zu Petrus, die den Zinsgroschen einnahmen, und sprachen: Pflegt euer Meister nicht den Zinsgroschen zu geben?

4. Matthew 17:25
 All 
KJV: 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?
Greek: λεγει ναι και οτε εισηλθεν ελθοντα εις την οικιαν προεφθασεν αυτον ο ιησους λεγων τι σοι δοκει σιμων οι βασιλεις της γης απο τινων λαμβανουσιν τελη η κηνσον απο των υιων αυτων η απο των αλλοτριων

5. Matthew 17:26
 All 
KJV: Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.
Greek: λεγει αυτω ο πετρος ειποντος δε απο των αλλοτριων εφη αυτω ο ιησους αραγε ελευθεροι εισιν οι υιοι
Latin: et ille dixit ab alienis dixit illi Iesus ergo liberi sunt filii
Wessex: Ða cwaeð he of fremden. Ða cwaeð he. Eornestlice þa barn senden frie.
Tyndale: Peter sayde vnto him: of straungers. Then sayd Iesus vnto him agayne: Then are the chyldren fre.
Luther: Da sprach zu ihm Petrus: Von den Fremden. Jesus sprach zu ihm: So sind die Kinder frei.

6. Matthew 17:27
 All 
KJV: 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.
Greek: ινα δε μη σκανδαλισωμεν αυτους πορευθεις εις την θαλασσαν βαλε αγκιστρον και τον αναβαντα πρωτον ιχθυν αρον και ανοιξας το στομα αυτου ευρησεις στατηρα εκεινον λαβων δος αυτοις αντι εμου και σου
Latin: ut autem non scandalizemus eos vade ad mare et mitte hamum et eum piscem qui primus ascenderit tolle et aperto ore eius invenies staterem illum sumens da eis pro me et te

7. Matthew 17:24-27 Tacky attacks on a senseless tax
In the GNT (Greek New Testament), tribute to Caesar, or, in modern day terms, taxes, are everywhere. How should one balance giving to God what is God's and to Caesar what is Caesar's?
Verse routeMatthew 17:27 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. [kjv]
Verse routeινα δε μη σκανδαλισωμεν αυτους πορευθεις εις θαλασσαν βαλε αγκιστρον και τον αναβαντα πρωτον ιχθυν αρον και ανοιξας το στομα αυτου ευρησεις στατηρα εκεινον λαβων δος αυτοις αντι εμου και σου [gnt]

The sequence of verses in the GNT provides some interesting perspectives into how people think and reason.

8. Matthew 17:24-27 Verses
Verse routeMatthew 17:24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? [kjv]
Verse route17:25 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? [kjv]
Verse route17:26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. [kjv]
Verse route17:27 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. [kjv]


9. Ecclesiastes 1:9 Capital punishment
Verse routeEcclesiastes 1:9 … that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. [kjv]

Capital punishment is when the government taxes you to get capital so that it can go into business in competition with you, and then taxes the profit on your business in order to pay its losses. (source unknown)
The English word "tax" comes, through French, from the Medieval Latin word "taxo""feel, charge, judge" and is related to the English word "task" .

The (often stated) temporary (for emergency only) income taxes were effectively made permanent by the 16 Amendment in 1913.

[mugger in DC]

10. Ecclesiastes 1:9
 All 
KJV: The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
Hebrew: מה שהיה הוא שיהיה ומה שנעשה הוא שיעשה ואין כל חדש תחת השמש׃
Greek: τι το γεγονος αυτο το γενησομενον και τι το πεποιημενον αυτο το ποιηθησομενον και ουκ εστιν παν προσφατον υπο τον ηλιον

11. Genesis 47:14-27 Joseph and taxes and enslavement
Verse routeGenesis 47:20 And Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh; for the Egyptians sold every man his field, because the famine prevailed over them: so the land became Pharaoh's. [kjv]
Verse route47:26 And Joseph made it a law over the land of Egypt unto this day, that Pharaoh should have the fifth part; except the land of the priests only, which became not Pharaoh's. [kjv]

Many taxes, such as the income tax in the United States (to finance the Civil War effort), were started as temporary measures and were never removed.

The general rule is to add taxes for an emergency. After the emergency, remove part of the taxes, take credit for it, but leave a good part of the added taxes in place for eternity.

In Genesis, during the famine predicted by Joseph in the interpretation of the dream of Pharaoh, we see how big government can enslave people by using their power to tax, etc., against the people.

Information sign More: Genesis 47:14-27 Joseph and taxes and enslavement

12. Death by taxes
Certainty? In this world nothing is certain but death and taxes.
Benjamin Franklin (American scientist, inventor, philosopher, statesman) .
Which gets worse over time? He does not possess wealth; it possesses him. Benjamin Franklin.

What does Jesus say about taxes (yokes of compulsion) by religious institutions?

Information sign More: Genesis 47:14-27 Joseph and taxes and enslavement
Information sign More: Benjamin Franklin

13. Taxidermy
Verse route1 Corinthians 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order. [kjv]
Verse routeπαντα δε ευσχημονως και κατα ταξιν γινεσθω [gnt]

Verse routeExodus 25:5 And rams' skins dyed red, and badgers' skins, and shittim wood, [kjv]
Verse routeκαι δερματα κριων ηρυθροδανωμενα και δερματα υακινθινα και ξυλα ασηπτα [lxx]

The word taxidermy comes from the Greek words for class or order (taxonomy) and skin or fur as in (dermatology).

Mark Twain (Author and Humorist, alias Samuel Clemens)
 
What is the difference between a taxidermist and a tax collector?


Information sign More: Mark Twain

14. English taxes
Book cover: Yogi Berra
Have you ever been out driving and come to a fork in the road?

Popular book. (2001): When you come to a fork in the road, take it! Yogi Berra.
The English word "tax" replaced the Old English word "gafol""tax, rent, tribute" and is cognate with the Latin word "habeo""own, possess, have".

Interestingly, another meaning of the Old English word "gafol""fork" where one apparently had to literally "fork over" what one had of value. The German word "die Gabel""the fork".

The Old English word "gafol""tax, rent, tribute" is the source of the English word "gavel" as in "rent" or "interest" and it is not clear if it is related to a "gavel" as used by a judge.

Information sign More: Yogi Berra

15. Matthew 7:2 Measurement
Verse routeMatthew 7:2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. [kjv]
Verse routeεν ω γαρ κριματι κρινετε κριθησεσθε και εν ω μετρω μετρειτε μετρηθησεται υμιν [gnt]

Lord KelvinWhen you can measure what you are speaking about, and express it into numbers, you know something about it; but when you cannot measure it, when you cannot express it in numbers, your knowledge is of a meager and unsatisfactory kind. Lord Kelvin (Scientist)
Bureaucrat's thinking: If it can be measured, it can be taxed. (Beer production vs. yard sales)

Many "birds" (false leaders) do not want to put their "opinion" or "glory" under the "measure" but, instead, hold their "opinion" up for all in the "house" to be attracted to that (false) "light" (darkness).

Information sign More: Matthew 5:15: This little light of mine
[local government in Savannah was working on a plan for taxing yard sales about 2005]

16. Matthew 7:2
   Matthew 7:2 
 All 
KJV: For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
Greek: εν ω γαρ κριματι κρινετε κριθησεσθε και εν ω μετρω μετρειτε αντιμετρηθησεται μετρηθησεται υμιν

17. Tacky tachometer
The word "tachometer", which "meters" the "quickness" of the engine, comes from the ancient Greek word "ταχύς""quick, rapid, soon"
If you do not like the appearance of a tachometer, as in not having a classy appearance, you might say it appears "tacky". This word "tacky" comes from 1888 meaning "in poor taste" or "of low quality". Words from an earlier time that had about the same meaning were "shabby" or "seedy".

Information sign More: Come quickly: sooner or later

18. Ticky tacky coffin baskets
In the 1960's Malvina Reynolds coined the term "ticky tacky" to refer to low quality material used to make something, such as cheap houses, etc.

The term is often used to refer to the linings in coffins from a song "Little Boxes" by the "Weeds" with lyrics including the following. "Little coffins on the hillside. Little coffins made of ticky tacky and they all look just the same...".
Verse routeΜατθαίον 14:20 και εφαγον παντες και εχορτασθησαν και ηραν το περισσευον των κλασματων δωδεκα κοφινους πληρεις [gnt]
Verse route16:9 Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? [kjv]
Verse routeουπω νοειτε ουδε μνημονευετε τους πεντε αρτους των πεντακισχιλιων και ποσους κοφινους ελαβετε [gnt]

The Greek word translated as "baskets" went through Latin to become the English word "coffin". How many "coffins", I mean "baskets", did they take up?

Information sign More: Matthew 16: Basket cases
Information sign More: Come quickly: sooner or later

19. Tic tac
tic tac breath mintsTic tac, usually written in lowercase as tic tac, is a brand of breath mints, started in 1969, from the Italian company Ferrero.


Information sign More: Come quickly: sooner or later

20. Tiberius Caesar and sheep
Verse routeLuke 3:1 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, … [kjv]

Sheep
Emperor Tiberius Caesar (on taxes): It is the duty of a good shepherd to shear his sheep, not to skin them.

At the same time, Jesus was walking and teaching in Judea. Jesus had a different idea about what it meant to be a "good" "shepherd".

Verse routeJohn 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. [kjv]
Verse routeεγω ειμι ο ποιμην ο καλος ο ποιμην ο καλος την ψυχην αυτου τιθησιν υπερ των προβατων [gnt]


21. Tiberius
About the 15th year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar Jesus was walking and teaching in Judea. The Roman Empire, representing the power of the world, was continually concerned with wealth and taxation of all kinds. In the first century, Emperor Tiberius Caesar (42 BC to 37 AD) would often tell his people the following about taxes.

It is the duty of a good shepherd to shear his sheep, not to skin them. Emperor Tiberius

22. Luke 3:1
   Luke 3:1 
 All 
KJV: Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene,
Greek: εν ετει δε πεντεκαιδεκατω της ηγεμονιας τιβεριου καισαρος ηγεμονευοντος ποντιου πιλατου της ιουδαιας και τετραρχουντος τετρααρχουντος της γαλιλαιας ηρωδου φιλιππου δε του αδελφου αυτου τετραρχουντος τετρααρχουντος της ιτουραιας και τραχωνιτιδος χωρας και λυσανιου της αβιληνης τετραρχουντος τετρααρχουντος

23. John 10:11,14
Verse routeJohn 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. [kjv]
Verse routeεγω ειμι ο ποιμην ο καλος ο ποιμην ο καλος την ψυχην αυτου τιθησιν υπερ των προβατων [gnt]
Verse route10:14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. [kjv]
Verse routeεγω ειμι ο ποιμην ο καλος και γινωσκω τα εμα και γινωσκουσιν με τα εμα [gnt]

In John 10, Jesus talks about the "good" "shepherd".

24. John 10:11
   John 10:11 
 All 
KJV: I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
Greek: εγω ειμι ο ποιμην ο καλος ο ποιμην ο καλος την ψυχην αυτου τιθησιν υπερ των προβατων

25. John 10:12-14
Verse routeJohn 10:12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. [kjv]
Verse routeο μισθωτος και ουκ ων ποιμην ου ουκ εστιν τα προβατα ιδια θεωρει τον λυκον ερχομενον και αφιησιν τα προβατα και φευγει και ο λυκος αρπαζει αυτα και σκορπιζει [gnt]
Verse route10:13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. [kjv]
Verse routeοτι μισθωτος εστιν και ου μελει αυτω περι των προβατων [gnt]
Verse route10:14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. [kjv]
Verse routeεγω ειμι ο ποιμην ο καλος και γινωσκω τα εμα και γινωσκουσιν με τα εμα [gnt]

The "wolf" can be related to a "wolf dog" or "bird" who, as a false teacher and/or false leader. Sometimes, the "hireling", as a "pig", will "flee" to the "wolf dog" or "bird" and start working against the "sheep".

26. John 10:12
   John 10:12 
 All 
KJV: But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
Greek: ο μισθωτος δε και ουκ ων ποιμην ου ουκ εισιν εστιν τα προβατα ιδια θεωρει τον λυκον ερχομενον και αφιησιν τα προβατα και φευγει και ο λυκος αρπαζει αυτα και σκορπιζει τα προβατα

27. John 10:13
   John 10:13 
 All 
KJV: The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
Greek: ο δε μισθωτος φευγει οτι οτι μισθωτος εστιν και ου μελει αυτω περι των προβατων

28. John 10:14
   John 10:14 
 All 
KJV: I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
Greek: εγω ειμι ο ποιμην ο καλος και γινωσκω τα εμα και γινωσκομαι υπο των εμων γινωσκουσιν με τα εμα

29. Homeowners
Do homeowners actually "own" their home? Or do they think they own their home and are just paying "rent" in the form of "taxes" on it. What about inheritance taxes?

Verse route1 Timothy 6:7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry no thing out. [kjv]
Verse routeουδεν γαρ εισηνεγκαμεν εις τον κοσμον οτι ουδε εξενεγκειν τι δυναμεθα [gnt]

This verse appears to assume that the "world" is the "universe" rather than the usual "people" who "adorn" the "earth". The verse also assumes that "we" are "nothing" and that the "things" are material (physical) things and not abstract (information) things (e.g., the soul).

Due to certain word usages and logical issues with what, for example, Jesus says, it appears that 1 Timothy may not have been written by Paul (who uses precise logic and words, often with multiple meanings, allusions, etc.).

Future topic Details are left as a future topic.


30. 1 Timothy 6:7
 All 
KJV: For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry no thing out.
Greek: ουδεν γαρ εισηνεγκαμεν εις τον κοσμον δηλον οτι ουδε εξενεγκειν τι δυναμεθα

31. Evading or avoiding tax jokes

Sign: THE IRS thinks that it is all THEIR$.
 
Where do rich people who are homeless live?
Why are taxes like golf?
Why did the IRS audit the church?

32. Taxman
Beatles Revolver album cover
The Beetles song "Taxman", written by George Harrison (with help by John Lennon), appeared on the 1966 album Revolver.
In the song, Harrison sings of the British government collecting a 95% tax on their earnings. This was one reason why they left Great Britain.

This brings up the question of a whether a Biblical tithe should be 10% of the gross or of the net, what is left or something else.

33. Taxman lyrics
Part of the lyrics to Taxman by George Harrison go as follows.

34. Taxes on sin
Verse routeRomans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. [kjv]
Verse routeτα γαρ οψωνια της αμαρτιας θανατος το δε χαρισμα του θεου ζωη αιωνιος εν χριστω ιησου τω κυριω ημων [gnt]

What is the tax on the wages of sin? Paraphrase: ... but the favor of God is eternal life through (accepting the offer of) Jesus Christ our Lord.

35. Romans 6:23
   Romans 6:23 
 All 
KJV: For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Greek: τα γαρ οψωνια της αμαρτιας θανατος το δε χαρισμα του θεου ζωη αιωνιος εν χριστω ιησου τω κυριω ημων

36. Better to give than to receive
In Acts, Paul refers to Jesus saying that it is "better to give than to receive".

Verse routeActs 20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. [kjv]
Verse routeπαντα υπεδειξα υμιν οτι ουτως κοπιωντας δει αντιλαμβανεσθαι των ασθενουντων μνημονευειν τε των λογων του κυριου ιησου οτι αυτος ειπεν μακαριον εστιν μαλλον διδοναι η λαμβανειν [gnt]

These words by Jesus are not directly found in the Gospels. Paul makes a "semantic match" rather than a "syntactic match".

In tax terms, "It is more deductible to give than to receive.". Attributed to Henry Leabo.

37. Acts 20:35
   Acts 20:35 
 All 
KJV: I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Greek: παντα υπεδειξα υμιν οτι ουτως κοπιωντας δει αντιλαμβανεσθαι των ασθενουντων μνημονευειν τε των λογων του κυριου ιησου οτι αυτος ειπεν μακαριον εστιν διδοναι μαλλον διδοναι η λαμβανειν

38. Parts
Let us look at the following parts of taxes in the GNT, with interesting aspects interspersed.

39. Matthew 17:24 Temple tax
Verse routeMatthew 17:24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? [kjv]
Verse routeελθοντων δε αυτων εις καφαρναουμ προσηλθον οι τα διδραχμα λαμβανοντες τω πετρω και ειπαν ο διδασκαλος υμων ου τελει τα διδραχμα [gnt]

The "tribute" is a "double drachma" or the "amount of the payment". One must know from other sources that this is the "temple tax". They do not "receive" nor "accept" the "temple tax". They "take" the "temple tax" in the sense that one needs to "take up" your "cross" and "follow" Jesus.

The ancient Greek word "τέλος""end, purpose" as in "complete" or "finalize" or "purpose" (Aristotle usage). To "pay the last farthing" will never happen with the religious institution. Jesus talks about making the "final" payment.

Information sign More: Aristotle
Information sign More: Matthew 5:25-26 Adversarial agreement

40. John 19:30 It is finished
Verse routeJohn 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. [kjv]
Verse routeοτε ουν ελαβεν το οξος ο ιησους ειπεν τετελεσται και κλινας την κεφαλην παρεδωκεν το πνευμα [gnt]

Paid in full
The ancient Greek word "τέλειος""purposed, complete, perfected" and not the modern English idea of "perfect" as "without error".
At the "end", Jesus says "it is finished". The Greek word had a meaning of "paid in full". In Revelation, Jesus shows up to redeem the deed that was paid on the cross.

Information sign More: The ninth hour: finished at noon

41. Revelation 5:4-5 Closing costs
Verse routeRevelation 5:4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. [kjv]
Verse route5:5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. [kjv]

Jesus paid it all. John is present to see the ultimate escrow closing in Revelation.
Question: If Jesus paid it all, do we need to keep paying the religious establishment? Can we just go out and do what Jesus asks us to do?

Information sign More: Song: Jesus paid it all
Information sign More: Matthew 5:25-26 Adversarial agreement
Information sign More: The ninth hour: finished at noon

42. Strongs - end

43. Usage - end
*G5056 *41 τέλος (tel'-os) : from a primary tello (to set out for a definite point or goal); properly, the point aimed at as a limit, i.e. (by implication) the conclusion of an act or state (termination (literally, figuratively or indefinitely), result (immediate, ultimate or prophetic), purpose); specially, an impost or levy (as paid):--+ continual, custom, end(-ing), finally, uttermost. Compare G5411.
Word usage per chapter Words: τελη=2 τελος=33 τελους=6


44. Strongs - tribute

45. Usage - tribute
*G1323 *2 δίδραχμον (did'-rakh-mon) : from G1364 and G1406 δραχμή; a double drachma (didrachm):--tribute.
*G1406 *3 δραχμή (drakh-may') : from G1405; a drachma or (silver) coin (as handled):--piece (of silver).
Word usage per chapter Words: διδραχμα=2 δραχμας δραχμην=2

The "didrachma" is "two" "drachmas". The word "drachma" means, literally, what would fit "in the hand".

Both exact uses of "didrachma" are in this verse in the GNT.

Discuss: Does the government's hand (including hand-outs) grow larger over time? How about religious establishments? How did the temple expand from the time of Elijah and Solomon until the time of John the Baptist and Jesus?

Information sign More: Numismatics: Money and coins in the Bible
Information sign More: Matthew 11:12-14 Exploring the Kingdom of Heaven

46. Matthew 6:28-29 Red letter verses
Verse routeMatthew 6:28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: [kjv]
Verse routeκαι περι ενδυματος τι μεριμνατε καταμαθετε τα κρινα του αγρου πως αυξανουσιν ου ουδε νηθουσιν [gnt]
Verse route6:29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. [kjv]
Verse routeλεγω δε υμιν οτι ουδε σολομων εν παση τη δοξη αυτου περιεβαλετο ως εν τουτων [gnt]

The Greek word for "lily" is a play on words on "judging" as "separating". Solomon was known for his wisdom in judging. The Greek translated as "glory" is that of "opinion".

Information sign More: Matthew 6: Seek to eat , drink and be married to Jesus
Information sign More: Whether this or that: What is your opinion on glory?
Information sign More: The word glory in Latin and Greek

47. Red tape analogy
Here is an analogy using double-meanings in English to refer to government practices.
Analogy: Consider these red-tape pansies [judger's] of the world. They increase, they do not work, they spend. Yet even George Washington in all his glory (opinion) was not surrounded (clothed) by red-tape pansies [judger's] such as these (current red-tape pansies).

Information sign More: Matthew 6: Seek to eat , drink and be married to Jesus

48. Matthew 3:7 Spies and vipers
Keep in mind that the religious establishment, like any totalitarian regime and most governments, have spies everywhere reporting back on what is said, etc. We see this in Matthew 3 where John the Baptist is baptizing in the Jordan.

Verse routeMatthew 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? [kjv]
Verse routeιδων δε πολλους των φαρισαιων και σαδδουκαιων ερχομενους επι το βαπτισμα ειπεν αυτοις γεννηματα εχιδνων τις υπεδειξεν υμιν φυγειν απο της μελλουσης οργης [gnt]

The Greek word for "viper" is the type that is harmful and not just a "snake".
When Jesus is talking directly to the religious establishment away from others, he tells them exactly what they are doing that is not correct without using play on words and double meanings.

Information sign More: Matthew 13:24-30,36-43 Second kingdom parable: fault-tolerant approach to the toleration paradox

49. Matthew 3:7
   Matthew 3:7 
 All 
KJV: But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
Greek: ιδων δε πολλους των φαρισαιων και σαδδουκαιων ερχομενους επι το βαπτισμα αυτου ειπεν αυτοις γεννηματα εχιδνων τις υπεδειξεν υμιν φυγειν απο της μελλουσης οργης
Sometimes the reports are accurate. Sometimes they are not. Sometimes what is reported leads to strange decisions later. Let us return to the tribute tax in Matthew 17.

50. Matthew 17:24 Questions
Verse routeMatthew 17:24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? [kjv]
Verse routeελθοντων δε αυτων εις καφαρναουμ προσηλθον οι τα διδραχμα λαμβανοντες τω πετρω και ειπαν ο διδασκαλος υμων ου τελει τα διδραχμα [gnt]

The "temple tax" is being "taken" and not "received" or "accepted" English and Greek: Peter, like Jesus, does not volunteer any response to the religious authorities unless asked directly. Then, a simple answer is provided. Jesus will sometimes catch the questioner is a deception. Peter appears not to do this.

Let your "yes" be "yes" and your "no" be "no". Peter will answer and then Jesus will ask a question in which he generalizes the idea of the specific payment using different words that have more than one meaning.

Information sign More: Matthew 5:33-37: Hairs of the head - yes no

51. Matthew 17:25 Yes
Many people are quick to agree, sometimes to avoid an argument. The disciples did this in Matthew 13 when they said they understood the parables (which they clearly did not understand). Here, Peter, without thinking, says "yes".
Verse routeMatthew 17:25 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? [kjv]
Verse routeλεγει ναι και ελθοντα εις την οικιαν προεφθασεν αυτον ο ιησους λεγων τι σοι δοκει σιμων οι βασιλεις της γης απο τινων λαμβανουσιν τελη η κηνσον απο των υιων αυτων η απο των αλλοτριων [gnt]

Then Jesus needs to ask a question to set up a clarification.

Let your "yes" be "yes" and your "no" be "no".

Information sign More: Matthew 5:33-37: Hairs of the head - yes no

52. Listening
Verse routeMatthew 13:51 Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord. [kjv]
Verse route συνηκατε ταυτα παντα λεγουσιν αυτω ναι [gnt]

Man to wife: No, you're wrong... It doesn't even go in one ear! Mother to (three) sons: You can all hear just fine, but you don't listen.

[German voice for GPS (Global Positioning System) map directions]


Information sign More: Gnashing of the teeth

53. Matthew 17:25 Custom anticipation
Verse routeMatthew 17:25 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? [kjv]
Verse routeλεγει ναι και ελθοντα εις την οικιαν προεφθασεν αυτον ο ιησους λεγων τι σοι δοκει σιμων οι βασιλεις της γης απο τινων λαμβανουσιν τελη η κηνσον απο των υιων αυτων η απο των αλλοτριων [gnt]

The Greek for "prevented" is that of "anticipated" as in, literally, "before arriving".

The Greek for "custom" is that of "purpose" or "end" or "completion" and could be, in context, a "tax".

54. Strongs - anticipation

55. Usage - anticipation
*G4399 *1 προφθάνω (prof-than'-o) : from G4253 and G5348; to get an earlier start of, i.e. anticipate:--prevent.
Word usage per chapter Words: προεφθασεν=1


56. Matthew 17:25 Tribute opinion
Verse routeMatthew 17:25 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? [kjv]
Verse routeλεγει ναι και ελθοντα εις την οικιαν προεφθασεν αυτον ο ιησους λεγων τι σοι δοκει σιμων οι βασιλεις της γης απο τινων λαμβανουσιν τελη η κηνσον απο των υιων αυτων η απο των αλλοτριων [gnt]

The Greek for "thinkest" is the word used as a play on words in Matthew 7 for the "beam" as in an "opinion". The "mote" or "twig" is a play on words with "fruit".

The Greek for "tribute" is from the Latin word for "census" which comes from a Latin word meaning "opinion" or "think" and is the source of the English word "censure".

Information sign More: Matthew 7:3-5 Beams and motes: the devil is in the details
Information sign More: Some cents about the need for a census

57. Strongs - tribute

58. Usage - tribute
*G2778 *4 κῆνσος (kane'-sos) : of Latin origin; properly, an enrollment ("census"), i.e. (by implication) a tax:--tribute.
Word usage per chapter Words: κηνσον=3 κηνσου


59. Matthew 17:25 Kings of the earth
Verse routeMatthew 17:25 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? [kjv]
Verse routeλεγει ναι και ελθοντα εις την οικιαν προεφθασεν αυτον ο ιησους λεγων τι σοι δοκει σιμων οι βασιλεις της γης απο τινων λαμβανουσιν τελη η κηνσον απο των υιων αυτων η απο των αλλοτριων [gnt]

The "kings" of the "earth" and/or the "kingdoms" of the "earth" are controlled by Satan to which Jesus does not take issue in the examination (temptation) of Jesus in Matthew 4.

Since the "temple tax" is being related to the "kings" of the "earth", Jesus appears to be associating the religious establishment with the power of Satan.

Does Jesus ever associate the religious establishment with "fishing" for "men" for the purposes of getting their money, as in a "fish" with a "gold" coin from the mouth?

Information sign More: Matthew 4:1-11 Examining evil temptations

60. Matthew 23:15 Jesus talks about recruiting friends
Jesus talks about what happens if you recruit followers (as friends, etc.) with incorrect motives (e.g., to fill the pews as a "return on investment").

Verse routeMatthew 23:15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites ! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. [kjv]
Verse routeουαι υμιν γραμματεις και φαρισαιοι υποκριται οτι περιαγετε την θαλασσαν και την ξηραν ποιησαι ενα προσηλυτον και οταν γενηται ποιειτε αυτον υιον γεεννης διπλοτερον υμων [gnt]

A "proselyte" is someone who is being recruited to be a part of the group, as in being a "friend" to bring a new member or attendee into a church. Might the "proselyte" be compared to a "fish" that is caught for the purpose of getting a gold coin? This is a different way to be a "fisher" of "men". It is more like a "snake" posing as a "fisher".

The Greek translated as "hypocrites" means "acting" or "pretending".

Information sign More: An actor as a hypocrite is not real
Information sign More: Matthew 5:42 Do not loan shirk
Information sign More: Friendship evangelism deception

61. Matthew 23:15

 All 
KJV: Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites ! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.
Greek: ουαι υμιν γραμματεις και φαρισαιοι υποκριται οτι περιαγετε την θαλασσαν και την ξηραν ποιησαι ενα προσηλυτον και οταν γενηται ποιειτε αυτον υιον γεεννης διπλοτερον υμων

62. Union of sets
Verse routeMatthew 18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. [kjv]
Verse routeεαν δε παρακουση αυτων ειπον τη εκκλησια εαν δε και της εκκλησιας παρακουση εστω σοι ωσπερ ο εθνικος και ο τελωνης [gnt]

In providing a conflict resolution protocol, for the church, Jesus appears to separate everyone into three distinct groups.that comprise all people. Where does Jesus associate the religious hierarchy with "tax collectors"? How about in the "temple tax" verses near the end of the previous chapter, Matthew 17.

63. Matthew 18:17
 All 
KJV: And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
Greek: εαν δε παρακουση αυτων ειπε ειπον τη εκκλησια εαν δε και της εκκλησιας παρακουση εστω σοι ωσπερ ο εθνικος και ο τελωνης

64. Matthew 17:25 Children
Verse routeMatthew 17:25 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? [kjv]
Verse routeλεγει ναι και ελθοντα εις την οικιαν προεφθασεν αυτον ο ιησους λεγων τι σοι δοκει σιμων οι βασιλεις της γης απο τινων λαμβανουσιν τελη η κηνσον απο των υιων αυτων η απο των αλλοτριων [gnt]

The Greek for "children" is that of "sons" and can be taken to be Jesus, the disciples (Peter, etc.) and believers in general.

Would that religious establishment give "bad" "gifts" to their "children"? Can taking "money" from their "children" be considered a "bad" "gift"?

Information sign More: Good gifts and bad gifts
Information sign More: Gifts to children
Information sign More: Matthew 5:23-24 Alterated gifts

65. Matthew 17:25 Strangers
Verse routeMatthew 17:25 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? [kjv]
Verse routeλεγει ναι και ελθοντα εις την οικιαν προεφθασεν αυτον ο ιησους λεγων τι σοι δοκει σιμων οι βασιλεις της γης απο τινων λαμβανουσιν τελη η κηνσον απο των υιων αυτων η απο των αλλοτριων [gnt]

The Greek for "strangers" is not the usual Greek word for "stranger". The word used appears to be a play on words with "other three" which could be what is sometimes called the "Satanic trinity". John uses this exact word for "stranger" for the one from which "sheep" will "flee" as they know not the voice. John 10:5.


Information sign More: Matthew 25:38 Hosting strange and hostile guests and ghosts
Information sign More: Matthew 13:33 Fourth kingdom parable: measures three

66. Strongs - stranger

67. Usage - stranger
*G245 *14 ἀλλότριος (al-lot'-ree-os) : from G243; another's, i.e. not one's own; by extension foreign, not akin, hostile:--alien, (an-)other (man's, men's), strange(-r).
Word usage per chapter Words: αλλοτρια αλλοτριαις αλλοτριαν αλλοτριοις αλλοτριον=2 αλλοτριω=4 αλλοτριων=4


68. John 10:4-5
Verse routeJohn 10:4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. [kjv]
Verse route οταν τα ιδια παντα εκβαλη εμπροσθεν αυτων πορευεται και τα προβατα αυτω ακολουθει οτι οιδασιν την φωνην αυτου [gnt]
Verse route10:5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. [kjv]
Verse routeαλλοτριω δε ου μη ακολουθησουσιν αλλα φευξονται απ αυτου οτι ουκ οιδασιν των αλλοτριων την φωνην [gnt]

Who might the "stranger" be? The Greek for "strangers" is not the usual Greek word for "stranger". The word used appears to be a play on words with "other three" which could be what is sometimes called the "Satanic trinity".

69. John 10:4
   John 10:4 
 All 
KJV: And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
Greek: και οταν τα ιδια προβατα παντα εκβαλη εμπροσθεν αυτων πορευεται και τα προβατα αυτω ακολουθει οτι οιδασιν την φωνην αυτου

70. John 10:5
   John 10:5 
 All 
KJV: And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
Greek: αλλοτριω δε ου μη ακολουθησωσιν ακολουθησουσιν αλλα φευξονται απ αυτου οτι ουκ οιδασιν των αλλοτριων την φωνην

71. Matthew 17:25 Paraphrase
Verse routeMatthew 17:25 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? [kjv]
Verse routeλεγει ναι και ελθοντα εις την οικιαν προεφθασεν αυτον ο ιησους λεγων τι σοι δοκει σιμων οι βασιλεις της γης απο τινων λαμβανουσιν τελη η κηνσον απο των υιων αυτων η απο των αλλοτριων [gnt]

Paraphrase: ... Who do the (Satan-controlled secular and religious) kings (powers) of the earth take their purpose or opinions? From the sons (Jesus, Peter, believers) or from the other three (Satanic trinity)?

The "other three" has an interesting connection with "pointing the finger" at someone else. The "other three" fingers are pointing back. In psychology, the general idea is called "projection".

72. Matthew 17:26 Strangers
Verse routeMatthew 17:26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. [kjv]
Verse route ειποντος δε απο των αλλοτριων εφη αυτω ο ιησους αραγε ελευθεροι εισιν οι υιοι [gnt]

What does it mean to be "free"? This statement appears to setup the "render to Caesar" trick when the religious establishment is "ready to try anything" and translated as "crafty". There may be a play on words with "free" here.

Paraphrase: of the other three [Satanic trinity]. ... Then the sons (Jesus, disciples, believers) are free (of bondage of sin) [that is, they are wheat harvest]

Note that the "temple tax" is for the "children" on "sons" and not for the "others".

Information sign More: Ready to try anything crafty
Information sign More: John 8: The true reality of a free wheat harvest

73. Matthew 11:6: Idiomatic misinterpretations that offend
Verse routeMatthew 11:6 And blessed is he, who soever shall not be offended in me. [kjv]
Verse routeκαι μακαριος εστιν ος αν μη σκανδαλισθη εν εμοι [gnt]

Stumbling block Reflexive deception
The ancient Greek word "σκάνδαλον""trap, snare" as in entice, tempt, etc. Jesus is speaking in Matthew 11:6.
The Greek word "blessed" here means "happy". The "offended" means "entrapped" as in being "tricked" or "deceived". Or is it? How could someone be "deceived" by Jesus? How could someone be "deceived" by themselves or someone else about what Jesus really means?

A simple idiom as "misinterpret" may explain this and other verses in the GNT.

Information sign More: Matthew 11:6: Idiomatic misinterpretations that offend

74. Matthew 17:27 Temple tax
Verse routeMatthew 17:27 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. [kjv]
Verse routeινα δε μη σκανδαλισωμεν αυτους πορευθεις εις θαλασσαν βαλε αγκιστρον και τον αναβαντα πρωτον ιχθυν αρον και ανοιξας το στομα αυτου ευρησεις στατηρα εκεινον λαβων δος αυτοις αντι εμου και σου [gnt]

Who are the "them" that should not be "deceived"? (or entrapped or misinterpreted, etc.) The meaning appears to be "lest we should ensnare or trap them" or "lest we be misinterpreted by them".

Information sign More: Matthew 11:6: Idiomatic misinterpretations that offend

75. Matthew 17:27 Words
Verse routeMatthew 17:27 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. [kjv]
Verse routeινα δε μη σκανδαλισωμεν αυτους πορευθεις εις θαλασσαν βαλε αγκιστρον και τον αναβαντα πρωτον ιχθυν αρον και ανοιξας το στομα αυτου ευρησεις στατηρα εκεινον λαβων δος αυτοις αντι εμου και σου [gnt]

A better symbol might have been the "sheep" to which the "fish" became.

Information sign More: Matthew 5:13: Salt of the earth
Information sign More: Salt salted with a salty salt

76. Fish in Greek
Verse routeJohn 21:11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three… [kjv]
Verse routeανεβη ουν σιμων πετρος και ειλκυσεν το δικτυον εις την γην μεστον ιχθυων μεγαλων εκατονπεντηκοντα τριων και τοσουτων οντων ουκ εσχισθη το δικτυον [gnt]

Fish Fish symbol

153 = number of the fish.
w/h = sqrt(3) = 265/153.
Fish - Ichthus - ΙΧΘΥΣ - ιχθυς

The ancient Greek word "ιχθύς""fish, ixthus" or «ΙΧΘΥΣ» was an acronym where each letter symbolized an important part of Christianity.

John uses a lot of computer science top-down, backward-chaining thinking in his writing.

[John 1, 1 John 1, John 14-19, etc.]

From a Greek geometric construction, the "number of the fish" was 153 - the number of fish caught in John after the resurrection. (fish w/h = sqrt(3) ≈ 265/153)

The approximation ratio is 265/153 and the number 153 was called the "number of the fish". For more on approximation ratios, see Non-rational number approximation .




Information sign More: John 21:11 the number of the fish caught
Information sign More: Merry X-mas

77. Matthew 17:27 Words
Verse routeMatthew 17:27 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. [kjv]
Verse routeινα δε μη σκανδαλισωμεν αυτους πορευθεις εις θαλασσαν βαλε αγκιστρον και τον αναβαντα πρωτον ιχθυν αρον και ανοιξας το στομα αυτου ευρησεις στατηρα εκεινον λαβων δος αυτοις αντι εμου και σου [gnt]


78. Hebrew vav as hook and Greek hook, anchor and hug
Hebrew letter וו - hook
The Hebrew word "וו" (vav) ≈ "hook" and is made of two Hebrew "vav" letters. In some fonts, that Hebrew letter has the hook at the top end that represents a "hook".

The ancient Greek word "ἄγκιστρον""hook" and comes from "ἀγκάλη""bend" which is translated as "hug" in Luke. The word is related to the English word for "anchor" and is related to the word "Angles" from which we get the first part of the word "Anglo-Saxon".
Verse routeJob 41:1 Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down? [kjv]
Verse routeαξεις δε δρακοντα εν αγκιστρω περιθησεις δε φορβεαν περι ρινα αυτου [lxx]



Information sign More: Hebrew vav as hook and Greek hook, anchor and hug

79. Open mouths
Verse routeMatthew 5:2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, [kjv]
Verse routeκαι ανοιξας το στομα αυτου εδιδασκεν αυτους λεγων [gnt]

Verse route17:27 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. [kjv]
Verse routeινα δε μη σκανδαλισωμεν αυτους πορευθεις εις θαλασσαν βαλε αγκιστρον και τον αναβαντα πρωτον ιχθυν αρον και ανοιξας το στομα αυτου ευρησεις στατηρα εκεινον λαβων δος αυτοις αντι εμου και σου [gnt]

The exact Greek words for "open the mouth" appear only two times in the GNT and not in the LXX (Septuagint). In Greek, the word "and" before and the word "of his" after the phrase are also the same. Is there a connection?

Jesus "opened his mouth" at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount. The religious institution is apparently not interested in the words of Jesus but in "opening mouths" of "fish" attracted to the false "bait" in order to get "money".

80. Matthew 5:2
   Matthew 5:2 
 All 
KJV: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
Greek: και ανοιξας το στομα αυτου εδιδασκεν αυτους λεγων

81. Matthew 17:27 Mouths
Verse routeMatthew 17:27 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. [kjv]
Verse routeινα δε μη σκανδαλισωμεν αυτους πορευθεις εις θαλασσαν βαλε αγκιστρον και τον αναβαντα πρωτον ιχθυν αρον και ανοιξας το στομα αυτου ευρησεις στατηρα εκεινον λαβων δος αυτοις αντι εμου και σου [gnt]

The ancient Greek word "στόμα""opening, mouth" and is the source of the English medical term "stoma" as an "opening".

82. A peace of the mouth of the sword
Verse routeRevelation 1:16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. [kjv]
Verse routeκαι εχων εν τη δεξια χειρι αυτου αστερας επτα και εκ του στοματος αυτου ρομφαια διστομος οξεια εκπορευομενη και η οψις αυτου ως ο ηλιος φαινει εν τη δυναμει αυτου [gnt]

Sword horizontalThe ancient Greek word "στόμα""mouth" and could mean the "face", source of a body of water, opening in the earth, the front opening of something, etc. An interesting idiom in the Greek is that of letting the "mouth of the sword" do the talking. This might be similar to saying "let my sword do the talking".

The "sword" here is, literally, a "two" "mouth" "sword".

Information sign More: A peace of the mouth of the sword

83. Matthew 17:27 Open mouths
Verse routeMatthew 17:27 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. [kjv]

A United Methodist saying is: Open hearts, open minds, open doors. Discuss:

Open hearts open minds open doors

Do churches want "open mouths" when what is said disagrees with their viewpoint?

Would Jesus be welcome to come in the "door"? In Revelation, Jesus is knocking on the door of the church and they will not open it to let him in.

84. Brains and minds
A United Methodist saying is: Open hearts, open minds, open doors.

Open hearts open minds open doors Sign: Hate has no home here
Do not be so open-minded that your brains fall out. Attributed to G.K. Chesterton (he said something similar in other words), Carl Sagan (1996 book),, space engineer James Oberg, and others.
Much more detailed information: https://quoteinvestigator.com/2014/04/13/open-mind/ (as of 2024-06-13)

The general idea is that of the Russell paradox. A version of this is the toleration paradox, or, more recently, the hate paradox.

85. Usage - open
*G455 *77 ἀνοίγω (an-oy'-go) : from G303 and oigo (to open); to open up (literally or figuratively, in various applications):--open.
Word usage per chapter Words: ανεωγεν=2 ανεωγμενας ανεωγμενης ανεωγμενον ανεωγμενος ανεωγοτα ανεωξεν ανεωχθη ανεωχθηναι ανεωχθησαν=3 ανοιγει=2 ανοιγειν ανοιγησεται=2 ανοιγων ανοιγωσιν ανοιξαι=7 ανοιξαντες=3 ανοιξας=6 ανοιξει ανοιξη=2 ανοιξον=2 ανοιξω ανοιξωσιν ανοιχθησεται=2 ηνεωγμενη ηνεωγμενην ηνεωγμενον=3 ηνεωχθησαν ηνοιγη=3 ηνοιγησαν ηνοιγμενων ηνοιξεν=18 ηνοιχθη ηνοιχθησαν=2


86. Matthew 9:12-13 Paraphrase
Verse routeMatthew 9:12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. [kjv]

Verse route9:13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. [kjv]


87. Matthew 17:27 Temple tax coin
Verse routeMatthew 17:27 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. [kjv]
Verse routeινα δε μη σκανδαλισωμεν αυτους πορευθεις εις θαλασσαν βαλε αγκιστρον και τον αναβαντα πρωτον ιχθυν αρον και ανοιξας το στομα αυτου ευρησεις στατηρα εκεινον λαβων δος αυτοις αντι εμου και σου [gnt]

4 drachma 2 drachma 1 drachma
The ancient Greek word "στατήρ""weight, standard, stater coin". This "stater", often translated as "piece of money", was originally a weight of precious metal but eventually became known as a silver or gold coin of various values.
The "temple tax" was "two drachmas". For two this would be a "four drachma". Some modern Greek translations use the Greek for "quad drachma". Jesus used the word for "stater".

Information sign More: Numismatics: Money and coins in the Bible

88. Matthew 13:33 Play on words
Verse routeMatthew 13:33 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. [kjv]
Verse routeαλλην παραβολην ελαλησεν αυτοις ομοια εστιν η βασιλεια των ουρανων ζυμη ην λαβουσα γυνη ενεκρυψεν εις αλευρου σατα τρια εως ου εζυμωθη ολον [gnt]

Here are some play on word possibilities for (less usual) "measures" "three" where the allusions meld together and need not be exact. These do not work for the (more usual) "three" "measures".

Can you think of ways that these allusions might be "encrypted" in the "wheat" or "meal"?

☐ Greek: σατα τρια (sata tria) as "measures three" (as written)
☐ Greek: σαταν τρια (satan tria) as "satan three"
☐ Greek: σαταρίς τρια (sataris tria) as "woman's headress three"
☐ Greek: στατηρα τρια (statira tria) as "temple tax coin three"
☐ Greek: στατηρα (statira) as "temple tax coin"
The Greek for "wheat" or "meal" appears to be a play on word allusion to "freedom".

Information sign More: Matthew 13:33 Fourth kingdom parable: measures three

89. Strongs - coin

90. Usage - coin
*G4715 *1 στατήρ (stat-air') : from the base of G2746; a stander (standard of value), i.e. (specially), a stater or certain coin:--piece of money.
Word usage per chapter Words: στατηρα=1

The ancient Greek word "στατήρ""weight, standard, stater coin". This word appears one time in the GNT and not in the LXX.

It is a possible play on words with the "measures three" in the fourth kingdom parable in Matthew 13.


Information sign More: Matthew 13:33 Fourth kingdom parable: measures three

91. Creationist assumptions
It is assumed then that Peter does what Jesus says and it works. Nothing unusual there.

It is interesting that some creationists have gone to great lengths to find natural reasons why a fish in that area might have a coin in the mouth.
Creationists tend to focus on the low probability that the first fish would have a gold coin in the mouth. On the other hand, if you can enslave the "fish" as "people", then every "fish" has something of value that can be taken from that "fish" if the mouth is forced open. This is easier via deception rather than force.

Discuss: Does the church ever "fish" for "money"? If so, provide some examples of "bait"? If you are "hooked" on this idea, but have no clue, you will have to wait with "baited" breath.

92. Acts 3:6-7 Gold and silver
After the resurrection, a beggar in the temple expects money from Peter.

Verse routeActs 3:6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. [kjv]
Verse routeειπεν δε πετρος αργυριον και χρυσιον ουχ υπαρχει μοι ο δε εχω τουτο σοι διδωμι εν τω ονοματι ιησου χριστου του ναζωραιου περιπατει [gnt]
Verse route3:7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ancle bones received strength. [kjv]

Folklore story: (paraphrased): The KJV (King James Version) uses "have I none" where the Greek is "does not exist".

Information sign More: Existence is not is existence
Information sign More: The bottom line on riches
Information sign More: Naive about the nativity

93. Give
Dose of medicine
Uses of the second person imperative Greek word «δος» for "give" or "you give" in the GNT are interesting. The Greek word is the source of the English word "dose" as "something that is given". What is "given" is the direct object (accusative).
Verse routeMatthew 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread. [kjv]
Verse routeτον αρτον ημων τον επιουσιον δος ημιν σημερον [gnt]

Paraphrase: You give (subject verb)the bread (direct object) ...

Verse route14:8 And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger. [kjv]
Verse routeη δε προβιβασθεισα υπο της μητρος αυτης δος μοι φησιν ωδε επι πινακι την κεφαλην ιωαννου του βαπτιστου [gnt]

Paraphrase: You give (subject verb) the head (direct object) ...

94. Matthew 6:11
   Matthew 6:11 
 All 
KJV: Give us this day our daily bread.
Greek: τον αρτον ημων τον επιουσιον δος ημιν σημερον

95. Matthew 14:8
   Matthew 14:8 
 All 
KJV: And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger.
Greek: η δε προβιβασθεισα υπο της μητρος αυτης δος μοι φησιν ωδε επι πινακι την κεφαλην ιωαννου του βαπτιστου

96. John 4:10 Give
Verse routeJohn 4:10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. [kjv]
Verse routeαπεκριθη ιησους και ειπεν αυτη ει ηδεις την δωρεαν του θεου και τις εστιν ο λεγων σοι δος μοι πειν συ αν ητησας αυτον και εδωκεν αν σοι υδωρ ζων [gnt]


97. John 4:10
   John 4:10 
 All 
KJV: Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
Greek: απεκριθη ιησους και ειπεν αυτη ει ηδεις την δωρεαν του θεου και τις εστιν ο λεγων σοι δος μοι πιειν πειν συ αν ητησας αυτον και εδωκεν αν σοι υδωρ ζων

98. The prefix anti in place of against
Verse routeMatthew 5:38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: [kjv]
Verse routeηκουσατε οτι ερρεθη οφθαλμον αντι οφθαλμου και οδοντα αντι οδοντος [gnt]

Which is it? No left turnThe English word and prefix "anti", from the Latin, means "against" or "opposite".
The ancient Greek word "ἀντί""in place of" and, if context permits, can mean "against" or "opposite". The same holds for the modern Greek word "αντί" (an-TEE) ≈ "in place of". Thus, the "anti-Christ" will set himself up "in place of" Christ, as in "impersonator" of Christ rather than just "imitator" of Christ.

Information sign More: The one Antichrist and many antichrists
Information sign More: Imitator or impersonator of Christ
Information sign More: The prefix anti in place of against

99. Matthew 17:27 In place of
Verse routeMatthew 17:27 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. [kjv]
Verse routeινα δε μη σκανδαλισωμεν αυτους πορευθεις εις θαλασσαν βαλε αγκιστρον και τον αναβαντα πρωτον ιχθυν αρον και ανοιξας το στομα αυτου ευρησεις στατηρα εκεινον λαβων δος αυτοις αντι εμου και σου [gnt]

The Greek translated as "for" is that of "in place of". The religious establishment is not so much concerned about their children such as Jesus, the disciples, believers, etc. The religious establishment is interested in the "money" that can be obtained from the "mouths" of their "children" (to fill the pews, support themselves, etc.).

100. Verses for reference
Verse routeMatthew 17:25 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? [kjv]


Verse route17:26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. [kjv]


Verse route17:27 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. [kjv]


101. Paraphrase of words of Jesus
17:25 ... of whom do the kings (and religious) powers of the earth (controlled by Satan) take their purpose or opinion? Is it from their own sons (Jesus and believers) or of strangers [the other three - references to Satanic trinity]?

17:26 ... then the sons (Jesus and believers) are free (of bondage and tax of sin) [free as in a wheat harvest].

17:27 So that they do not misinterpret (or entrap themselves with) what we are doing (good works outside of the temple), go to the sea (of humanity), cast a hook (trap as they do to their children), and take up the first fish (of humanity) available. Open the mouth (there is gold in the mouths of those fish that are attracted to the false bait), and take that gold [measures three with Satanic illusions] and give it to them in place of you and me (believers) (as all they really want or care about is the money/tax to support themselves).

This is the end of chapter 17 but the discourse that has just started continues until the end of chapter 18.

102. Matthew 23:2-4 Seat of Moses
Verse routeMatthew 23:2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: [kjv]
Verse routeλεγων επι της μωυσεως καθεδρας εκαθισαν οι γραμματεις και οι φαρισαιοι [gnt]

Verse route23:3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. [kjv]
Verse routeπαντα ουν οσα εαν ειπωσιν υμιν ποιησατε και τηρειτε κατα δε τα εργα αυτων μη ποιειτε λεγουσιν γαρ και ου ποιουσιν [gnt]
Verse route23:4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. [kjv]

Jesus points out the deficiency of their "works". This will be stated in Matthew 11:19 as "But wisdom is justified of her children/works." where the Greek in Matthew uses the word "works" but Luke uses "children".

Jesus points out the "hypocrisy" of the religious establishment but does not use the word "hypocrite". That Greek word meant "acting" or "pretending".

Information sign More: An actor as a hypocrite is not real
Information sign More: Matthew 11:15-19 A pipe dream in the market place

103. End of page

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