The Temple Tax ~
This is the Temple Tax - an amount paid to support the temple - not a government tax. Once a year, each person over the age of 20 was to give a half-shekel offering. This was mandatory, not an offering or giving from the heart. Temple tax collectors actually went around collecting the money. These collectors approached the disciples rather than Jesus. Why? Perhaps in deference to Jesus' popularity as a teacher.
Whatever the reason, Jesus brings up the question with Peter. Do kings tax their family or do they tax their citizens? Well, kings don't tax their family. Since Jesus is the Son of God, He states that He and His disciples are not required to pay the tax. However, to avoid offending others, they pay it using money garnered from a fish.
Notice that even in His freedom, Jesus seeks peace among others. It comes down to BIG and little issues. I refer to them as "Heaven or Hell" issues. Does the issue threaten your salvation? If so, fight for it or against it. Jesus had no problem casting the merchants from the temple, nor did He have a problem correcting the religious leaders for leading the people astray. However, for the little things - things that don't matter in the BIG picture - let it go. It is better to live in fellowship than it is to be right.
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