Fish with a Coin in its Mouth

Miracles of Jesus

The Coin Carrying Fish

Free online resources based on Jesus providing a coin for paying taxes in the mouth of a fish. This story can be found in the Bible in the book a Matthew. See below for links to sermons, stories and entertaining sites for this miracle.

Coin Carrying Fish For Kids: Bible Stories - Children's Stories - Children's Activities - Children's Sermons - Music, Plays & Poetry - More Resources

Coin Carrying Fish For Teens & Adults: Devotions & Sermons - Educational Links - Potluck - Neat Coin Carrying Fish Related Sites

Updated 7/13/09

When they arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the half shekel [the temple tax] went up to Peter and said, Does not your Teacher pay the half shekel?

He answered, Yes. And when he came home, Jesus spoke to him [about it] first, saying, What do you think, Simon? From whom do earthly rulers collect duties or tribute--from their own sons or from others not of their own family?

And when Peter said, From other people not of their own family, Jesus said to him, Then the sons are exempt.

However, in order not to give offense and cause them to stumble [that is, to cause them to judge unfavorably and unjustly] go down to the sea and throw in a hook. Take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find there a shekel. Take it and give it to them to pay the temple tax for Me and for yourself. -- Matthew 17:24-27 AMP

Jesus Pays the Temple Tax With a Coin From a Fish Summary

The Jewish religious leaders were constantly looking for ways to accuse Jesus. They were jealous of his popularity and afraid that they would lose their power and status. They preferred the praise of men over a personal relationship with God. When the officials in Capernaum asked Peter if Jesus paid the Temple tax, Peter immediately said he did.

Jesus confronted Peter with an issue that would define his ministry. If Jesus was the Son of God, he was exempt from taxes. But in order to not offend anyone, he sent Peter on a very strange fishing trip to retrieve the Temple tax for both Jesus and Peter.

When Jesus told Peter what to do and Peter acted on Jesus’ words, their faith activated the spiritual realm. God had to make everything happen just as Jesus had said. Only God could have known where a coin was in the Sea of Galilee that would be the exact amount of tax owed. And only God could have commanded a fish that would be ready to retrieve it and deliver to Peter. God miraculously supplied Peter’s needs and He will supply everything you need as well. All He is waiting on is for you to have the faith to believe He will do what He says He will.

Read the entire Coin Carrying Fish story in five popular translations - AMP, KJV, HCSB, NIV, The Message:

Peter and the Fish With a Coin in its Mouth - Matthew 17:24-27

Coin Carrying Fish Themes - Read Bible verses related to the theme of the coin carrying fish story in five popular translations - AMP, KJV, HCSB, NIV, The Message:

God Is a God of Abundance - Old Testament
Genesis 26:12-14 Leviticus 26:1-10 Deuteronomy 28:1-14 Deuteronomy 30:8-16 Psalm 23 Psalm 36:5-10 Psalm 115:12-15 Proverbs 8:17-21 Joel 2:21-26 Malachi 3:10-12

God Is a God of Abundance - New Testament
Luke 6:38 Luke 8:1-15 John 10:10 2 Corinthians 9:6-11 Ephesians 3:19-21 Philippians 4:19 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Check out all the wonderful Christian content linked below and learn more about Jesus and the coin in the mouth of a fish.

-- Coin Carrying Fish Resources --

Bible Stories - Scriptures and Adaptations on the Coin in the Mouth of a Fish
Peter and the Tribute-Money - A very brief easy-to-read version of the miracle story

Children's Stories - Original Fiction Based on Jesus Paying the Temple Tax With a Coin From the Mouth of a Fish
Tasha, the Catch Of the Day - An Animal Parable based on the Gospel account of Peter catching a fish with a coin in its mouth

Children's Activities, Crafts & Coloring Pages for the Coin Carrying Fish Story
Gone Fishing Game - Simple game idea for kids

Fish Crafts - Scroll down to the middle of the page.

Children's Sermons & Lessons Based on the Coin in the Mouth of a Fish
Jesus & the IRS - A children's lesson from Matthew 17:24-27

Jesus Keeps a Promise - A Sunday school lesson from Matthew 17:24-27

Why Did Jesus Pay Taxes With a Coin From the Mouth of a Fish? - A short lesson

Children's Music, Plays & Poetry Based on Jesus Paying the Temple Tax With a Coin From the Mouth of a Fish
Coin In A Fish's Mouth - A short cute song

Additional Resources & Link Pages for the Coin Carrying Fish Story
Fishermen to Fishers of Men - Additional resources related to Jesus and fishing

-- Coin Carrying Fish Stuff For Teens and Adults --

Devotions, Discussions & Sermons About Jesus Paying the Temple Tax With a Coin From the Mouth of a Fish

The Coin in the Fish’s Mouth - A nice summary on Peter getting the coin from the fish's mouth

The Temple Tax - A scripture study based on Matthew 17:22-27

The Coin in the Fish - An interesting and short perspective on the miracle

Educational - Archaeology, History & Theology for the Coin Carrying Fish Miracle
The Tribute-Money - Commentary from the book by Alfred Edersheim

Was Jesus Christ Tax Exempt? - Focuses on the lessons on paying taxes

Potluck - Neat Stuff That Doesn't Fit Anywhere Else on the Coin in the Mouth of a Fish
Towns and Villages on the Sea of Galilee - Travel blog on the Sea of Galilee area with pictures and commentary on Jesus

The Tribute Money - A secular article on the Fresco painted by Masaccio

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