The term "stater" refers to an ancient coin used during the time of the New Testament, particularly in the context of the Roman Empire and Hellenistic regions. The stater is most notably mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew, where it plays a role in one of Jesus' miracles.

Biblical Reference:

The stater is specifically mentioned in Matthew 17:24-27 , where Jesus instructs Peter to catch a fish in order to pay the temple tax. The passage reads:

"When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax came to Peter and asked, 'Does your Teacher pay the two-drachma tax?' 'Yes,' he answered.

When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. 'What do you think, Simon?' He asked. 'From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own sons or from others?'

'From others,' Peter answered.

'Then the sons are exempt,' Jesus declared. 'But so that we may not offend them, go to the sea, cast a hook, and take the first fish you catch. When you open its mouth, you will find a stater. Take it and give it to them for My tax and yours.'"

In this account, the stater is used to pay the temple tax for both Jesus and Peter. The stater, being equivalent to four drachmas, was sufficient to cover the two-drachma tax for two people.

Historical and Cultural Context:

The stater was a common coin in the ancient Greek world, and its use extended into the Roman period. It was typically made of silver and varied in weight and value depending on the region. The stater mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew is likely a Tyrian stater, which was widely accepted in Judea for its high silver content and consistent weight.

The temple tax, referenced in the passage, was an annual levy imposed on Jewish males for the maintenance of the Temple in Jerusalem. The tax was traditionally half a shekel, which corresponds to the two-drachma coin mentioned in the text.

Theological Significance:

The miracle of the stater in the fish's mouth underscores several theological themes. Firstly, it highlights Jesus' divine authority and knowledge, as He foresees the exact means by which the tax will be provided. Secondly, it illustrates Jesus' respect for earthly authorities and customs, as He chooses to pay the tax to avoid causing offense, despite His position as the Son of God.

Moreover, the passage reflects the principle of divine provision. Jesus provides for the needs of His followers in a miraculous way, reinforcing the belief that God will supply what is necessary for His people.

Symbolism:

The stater can also be seen as a symbol of Jesus' role as the ultimate provider and mediator. By instructing Peter to find the coin in the fish's mouth, Jesus demonstrates His control over creation and His ability to meet both spiritual and material needs.

In summary, the stater in the Gospel of Matthew serves as a testament to Jesus' divine authority, His respect for tradition, and His provision for His followers. The account remains a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and care in the lives of believers.Stater

[MONEY]

Greek word rendered "piece of money" (Matthew 17:27, A.V.; and "shekel" in R.V.). It was equal to two didrachmas ("tribute money, 17:24), or four drachmas, and to about 2s. 6d. of our money. (see SHEKEL.) 1. (n.) One who states.

2. (n.) The principal gold coin of ancient Greece. It varied much in value, the stater best known at Athens being worth about 1 2s., or about USD5.35. The Attic silver tetradrachm was in later times called stater.

STATER

sta'-ter (stater): Used only once, Matthew 17:27, where it is rendered by "piece of money" in the King James Version and "shekel" in the Revised Version (British and American). It was originally a standard Greek weight equal to two drachmas, but later it was used to designate the tetradrachma, and this is probably the coin referred to in the above passage.

See MONEY.

4715. stater -- a stater (a coin)
... 4714b, 4715. stater. 4716 . ... Word Origin from the same as histemi Definition
a stater (a coin) NASB Word Usage shekel (1). coin, a stater. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4715.htm - 6k

The Stater Allegorized.
... Book XIII. 12. The Stater Allegorized. But you might sometimes gracefully
apply the passage to the lover of money, who has nothing ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/12 the stater allegorized.htm

The Stater in the Fish. (Matt. , xvii. , 27. )
... Section 191. The Stater in the Fish. ... The very first fish caught was to supply the
means; a stater, which it had swallowed, was found within it. ...
/.../section 191 the stater in.htm

Concerning those who Said, who is the Greatest? and Concerning the ...
... a defence with reference to the giving of the half-shekel, sends Peter to drag up
the fish into the net, in the mouth of which He said that a stater would be ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/14 concerning those who said.htm

The Freedom of Sons.
... to him the power of catching the fish first, that when it came up Peter might be
comforted by its coming up and being caught, and by the stater being taken ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/11 the freedom of sons.htm

Jesus Pays the Tribute Money.
... The Jewish shekel answered to the Greek stater, which has been variously
estimated as worth from fifty to seventy-five cents. The ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lxxii jesus pays the tribute.htm

Letter xvi. --To Amphilochius.
... Let your unerring mind be persuaded, because some of the people here contract with
me to furnish thirty workmen for a stater, for the dressed stonework, of ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/letter xvi to amphilochius.htm

The Last Events in Galilee - the Tribute-Money, the Dispute by the ...
... He will pay for Peter also, and pay, as heaven's King, with a Stater, or
four-drachm piece, miraculously provided. Thus viewed, there ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter iii the last events.htm

And in that Day this Thought Presented Itself to his Disciples...
... But, lest it trouble them, go thou to the sea, and cast a hook; and the first fish
that cometh up, open its mouth, and thou shalt find a stater: take therefore ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section xxv and in that.htm

The Life of St. Peter the Apostle
... Peter went upon the sea; he was chosen of God to be at his transfiguration, and
raised a maid from death to life; he found the stater or piece of money in the ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the life of st peter.htm

Ransom for Souls --ii.
... It was a prophecy of which we know the meaning. Recall the incident of the 'stater'
in the fish's mouth. Christ declares His exemption from the tax. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/ransom for soulsii.htm

Stater (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) The principal gold coin of ancient Greece. It varied much in value, the
stater best known at Athens being worth about 1 2s., or about USD5.35. ...STATER. ...
/s/stater.htm - 8k

Piece (93 Occurrences)
... Kings 10:16). See MONEY. PIECE OF MONEY. Two words are thus rendered in the
King James Version (qesiTah; stater). the Revised Version ...
/p/piece.htm - 40k

Shekel (37 Occurrences)
... The coin, a stater (qv), which Peter found in the fish's mouth paid this contribution
for both him and Christ (Matthew 17:24, 27). ... See STATER. H. Porter. ...
/s/shekel.htm - 23k

Statements (22 Occurrences)

/s/statements.htm - 12k

Opened (182 Occurrences)
... When you have opened its mouth, you will find a stater coin. Take that, and
give it to them for me and you." (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT). ...
/o/opened.htm - 36k

Offense (44 Occurrences)
... up. When you have opened its mouth, you will find a stater coin. Take that,
and give it to them for me and you." (See RSV). Matthew ...
/o/offense.htm - 18k

Lest (282 Occurrences)
... When you have opened its mouth, you will find a stater coin. Take that,
and give it to them for me and you." (WEB KJV WEY ASV WBS). ...
/l/lest.htm - 37k

Wilt (324 Occurrences)
... offence to them, go to the sea and cast a hook, and take the first fish that comes
up, and when thou hast opened its mouth thou wilt find a stater; take that ...
/w/wilt.htm - 36k

Four-drachma (1 Occurrence)
... up. When you have opened its mouth, you will find a stater coin. Take that,
and give it to them for me and you." (See NIV). Four ...
/f/four-drachma.htm - 6k

Tribute (67 Occurrences)
... Romans was the didrachmon (Matthew 17:24), the King James Version "tribute," the
Revised Version (British and American) "half-shekel." The stater (Matthew 17:27 ...
/t/tribute.htm - 32k

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