The ruler of the synagogue was waiting for an
opportunity like this. He didn't want to speak
to Jesus about it but turned on the people,
telling them that there were six days to work;
so on those days men should come and get
healed.

He was a typical representive of his party. He
was narrow-minded and bigoted.

Jesus pointed out to him in front of the people,
the fact that everyone led his ox from the small
stall to water on the Sabbath day. How much
more should this woman who was a daughter
of Abraham be healed on the Sabbath day.

While speaking in one of these

synagogues on the Sabbath day,

Jesus saw a woman bent over
with "a spirit of infirmity."

She had been in this
condition for about eighteen

years, and when Jesus saw her,

He had compassion on her.
Calling the woman to Him,

He laid hands on her
and said, "Woman, thou art loosed from thine
infirmity."

Immediately she straightened and she began to
praise God that she was set free from her infirm-
ity.

Jesus didn't do

as much speaking

in the synagogues

near the end of His

ministry.

When He did, He

went in to teach.

The

rulers would have liked to cast Him out completely,

but He had a spirit of authority that amazed them.

He also had the affection of the people and didn't

dare do anything except watch every move He

made with suspicion.

"And behold, there was

a woman which had a
spirit of infirmity

eighteen years, and

was bowed
together, and could in

no wise lift up herself.

And
when Jesus saw her,

he called her to him, and
said unto her,

Woman, thou art loosed from thine
infirmity. And he laid his hands on her: and
immediately she was made straight, and glorified
God.

And the ruler of the synagogue answered with
indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the
sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are
six days in which men ought to work: in them
therefore come and be healed, and not on the
sabbath day." Luke 13:11-17

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Some look upon this miracle as

a fable. Because they can't

explain how a coin could get

into a fish's mouth they decide

it couldn't have happened.

Let them explain how the world

was created.
Miracles are not to be explained on the basis of
natural causes. Jesus always had a reason to
perform miracles. If He didn't pay the tax, He
would have been accused of violating the law.
He didn't want people to misunderstand His
actions. So speaking the words to Peter created
a miracle to solve the matter.

Of course Peter wondered where they were going
to get the money to pay this tax. It didn't appear
that they had much with them at that time.

Jesus said to Peter to take his fishing line and
go to the sea and throw it into the water.

Maybe Peter thought that Jesus wanted him
to go back to his fishing occupation to earn the
money. But before he said anything, Jesus
explained he was to catch one fish, open its
mouth, and remove a piece of money. Then he

was to take it
"and give unto
them for me and
thee."

Jesus said, "Then are the children free."

If they paid the tax, it shouldn't be paid by
obligation, but of free and cheerful giving. He
may have claimed exemption from the tax, but
He didn't because it might have been misunder-
stood. To some it may have been seen as a
violation of the Law. So as not to offend them,
He made the contribution.

When Peter came went into the house, he wasn't
sure how to tell Jesus. But Jesus knew everything
that was happening and said to him, "What thinkest
thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth
take custom or tribute? of their own children, or
of strangers?"


Of course Peter said, "Of strangers."

Peter hadn't thought the thing through. The
money was redemption money that a man paid
for the ransom of his soul. And it was to be used
for temple service.

Why should Jesus who was the New Temple
unto God and the Redeemer of all souls pay
this ransom money for His own soul?

It was a demand for payment that He didn't owe.

In the past year Jesus and the disciples had been
traveling around the country, so they weren't
present when the taxes were collected. Now that
they were there, the tax-collectors came to them
to collect.

They asked Peter saying "Doth not your master
pay tribute?" Peter not having talked to Jesus
about it just answered, "Yes."

Most of the disciples were brought up in Caper-
naum, so their return there gave them a chance
to see relatives and friends.

It was custom in Israel that every male over
twenty was to pay tribute money. The money
was devoted to the temple. This tribute was
based on Exodus 30:11-16, where every Israel-
ite paid the money "as a ransom for his soul."
Jesus had paid the tax every year when it was
due.

Jesus and the disciples went back to Galilee. He
had some things He wanted to reveal to them.
He told them that He would be betrayed into the
hands of His enemies, that He would be put to
death, but on the third day would be raised again.

This news affected them so that they failed to get
the significance of His promise that He would be
raised from the dead.