How does Matthew 17:25 connect with Romans 13:1-7 on submitting to authorities?

◄ Link Matthew 17:25 & Romans 13:1-7 on authority. ►

• Tax collectors ask Peter whether Jesus pays the two-drachma temple tax.

• Jesus asks, “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes?” (Matthew 17:25).

• Peter answers, “From others.” Jesus replies, “Then the sons are exempt” (v. 26).

• Yet Jesus instructs Peter to get a coin from a fish and “give it to them for Me and you” (v. 27).

• Core idea: though the true Son of the King is free, He willingly pays to avoid needless offense.

Key Lesson From Jesus’ Response

• Authority: God the Father is the ultimate King; Jesus is His royal Son.

• Freedom: As Son, Jesus is not obligated to human religious taxation.

• Voluntary submission: He still pays, modeling humility and peace (cf. Philippians 2:5-8).

• Witness: Avoiding offense keeps the door open for the gospel (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:19-22).

Romans 13:1–7 Summarized

• “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities” (13:1).

• All authority is ordained by God; resisting rulers = resisting God’s ordinance (v. 2).

• Rulers are “God’s servant for your good” when you do right (v. 4).

• “For this reason you also pay taxes” (v. 6).

• Owe authorities taxes, revenue, respect, honor (v. 7).

Bringing the Two Passages Together

• Same God-given structure: Jesus acknowledges earthly authority; Paul explains its divine origin.

• Taxes in view: temple tax in Matthew; civil taxes in Romans—both legitimate.

• Exemption vs. obligation: Jesus could claim exemption yet submits; believers, though citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20), likewise submit.

• Motivation:

– Matthew: love and witness—avoiding offense.

– Romans: conscience—recognizing God’s delegated authority.

• Result: peaceful coexistence that magnifies God’s glory and advances the gospel.

Living Out This Connection Today

• Pay required taxes promptly and honestly, even when we feel over-burdened.

• Respect officials through speech and action, remembering their authority is God-allowed.

• Exercise freedoms wisely; forego personal rights when it serves a higher gospel purpose.

• Pray for leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-2) and seek ways to be “zealous for good works” (Titus 2:14).

Supporting Scriptures

• Mark 12:17 – “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s.”

• 1 Peter 2:13-17 – Submit “for the Lord’s sake” to every human institution.

• Titus 3:1 – Be subject to rulers, ready for every good work.

• Acts 5:29 – Obey God rather than men when commands directly conflict, maintaining ultimate allegiance to Him.