Matthew 17:24-27
And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
The King James Version is not as clear in the above verse on what they were actually paying.
Here is "Strong's" definition for the word that was translated "tribute money" in the above verse:
"a didrachmon or double drachma, a silver coin equal to two Attic drachmas or one Alexandrian, or one half a shekel"
This is the same amount as the "temple tax"
Exodus 30:13-15
This they shall give, every one that passeth among them that are numbered, half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary: (a shekel is twenty gerahs:) an half shekel shall be the offering of the LORD. Every one that passeth among them that are numbered, from twenty years old and above, shall give an offering unto the LORD. The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when they give an offering unto the LORD, to make an atonement for your souls.
The NKJV and others make it clearer:
Matthew 17:24-27 (NKJV)
When they had come to Capernaum, those who received the temple tax came to Peter and said, “Does your Teacher not pay the temple tax?” He said, “Yes.” And when he had come into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?” Peter said to Him, “From strangers.” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free. Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.”
This tax went to God's house. Why would God's son need to pay taxes for his father's house? This is what Jesus was telling Peter. (Jesus was also not obligated to the tax because he did not have to make an atonement for his soul)
After closer examination of these verses, no one can use them for evidence that Jesus paid taxes to Caesar.
