Christian Art | The Coin In The Fish’s Mouth
Matthew 17: 22-27 – Week 19 Ordinary Time, Monday (King James Audio Bible KJV, Spoken Word)
22 ¶ And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:
23 And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.
24 ¶ And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?
25 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?
26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.
27 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.
In Matthew’s Gospel, this is Jesus’ second announcement of his Passion. This time, the reaction of the disciples has mellowed. It is less extreme, while they remain very sorry. The disciples begin to recognize the cross as a necessary step on Jesus’ journey. We may think of our own tears mingled with joy as we contemplate Christ’s sacrifice, for example as we give ourselves in prayer, in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. We may also note that the sorrow of the disciples follows upon Jesus’ saying that he will be raised again. Our sorrow as we contemplate Jesus’ death includes the resurrection. We may weep for the necessity and the absolute love and self-giving of Jesus’ sacrifice.
In Capernaum, where Jesus spent much of his time during his ministry, Peter is asked if he and Jesus and the other disciples pay the tribute money, which was to maintain the Temple in Jerusalem. Peter tells the collector of the tribute that Jesus does indeed pay his temple tribute. Jesus and the disciples are observant Jews. Jesus has come to complete the Law, not to abolish it.
There then follows a curious exchange, in which Jesus suggests a different relationship to the Law than that which has previously been thought upon. The sons are free. Christians are free. However, it remains fitting to pay respect to the people from whom Christianity originates. This is important – not to give offence but to give love. A miracle follows. It may seem something of a ‘throwaway’ miracle, but it remains a miracle. This tells us that the issue is not of particular significance in Jesus’ eyes: it is easy for us to pay our respects and not to cause offence. We may be with Jesus, with the new and complete Law, while paying our respects to the old. There need be no contradiction here.
Concluding Prayer | Love Revealed By Jesus Christ
King of heaven and earth, Lord God,
rule over our hearts and bodies this day.
You have called us to serve you responsibly in the world:
help us to build a just and Christian society.
Sanctify us,
and guide our every thought, word, and deed
according to the commandments of your law,
so that now and for ever
your grace may free and save us.
We make our prayer through our Lord.
King James Audio Bible | Endnotes
What Is The Spiritual Significance Of The Coin In The Fish’s Mouth?
The story of the coin in the fish’s mouth is a miraculous event that has a deeper spiritual significance.
To provide some context, in the previous chapter of Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus had taken Peter, James, and John up to a high mountain, where Jesus was transfigured before them. They saw Jesus’ face shining like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light. They also saw Moses and Elijah talking with Jesus. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them not to tell anyone about what they had seen until after he had risen from the dead.
In Matthew 17: 22-23, Jesus and his disciples were traveling through Galilee, and Jesus began to teach them about his impending death and resurrection: ‘And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, the Son of Man shall be betrayed into the hands of men: and they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.’
It is at this point that the story of the coin in the fish’s mouth begins. In Matthew 17:24, the tax collectors came to Peter and asked him if Jesus paid the temple tax. Peter replied that he did, and he went to Jesus to confirm this. Jesus told Peter to go to the sea, cast a hook, and take the first fish that came up. Jesus said that when Peter opened the fish’s mouth, he would find a piece of money. Jesus instructed Peter to take that money and pay the tax for both of them.
So, what is the spiritual significance of this story?
One simple interpretation is that the story demonstrates Jesus’ divine power and authority. Jesus knew exactly what was going to happen, and he knew exactly what Peter needed to do to pay the tax. This interpretation emphasizes Jesus’ sovereignty over all things, including the natural world.
Another interpretation is that the story illustrates the importance of trusting in God’s provision. Jesus did not tell Peter how he was going to provide the money, but he assured him that it would be there. This interpretation emphasizes the importance of faith and trust in God’s provision, even when we cannot see how it will come about.
In his commentary on Matthew’s Gospel, theologian Saint Thomas Aquinas sees the story as a symbol of the sacrament of the Eucharist. He writes:
‘The coin in the fish’s mouth is a symbol of the Eucharist, which is received by the faithful as a kind of payment for their sins. The fish represents Christ, who is the source of our redemption. The coin represents the grace that we receive through the sacraments.’
Aquinas sees the story as a prefiguration of the sacraments, which are a means of grace for the Christian believer. He emphasizes the importance of the sacraments in the life of the believer and the role they play in our salvation.
Protestant theologian John Calvin, in his commentary on Matthew’s Gospel, sees the story as a rebuke to the religious leaders of the day. He writes:
‘The story of the coin in the fish’s mouth is a rebuke to the scribes and Pharisees, who were more concerned with their own piety than with the needs of the people. Jesus demonstrates that true religion is not about external acts of piety, but about serving others and meeting their needs.’
Calvin emphasizes the importance of compassion and service in the Christian life. He sees the story as an illustration of Jesus’ concern for the needs of his disciples and his willingness to provide for them. He also notes that the story serves as a reminder to believers that God will always provide for our needs, even in unexpected ways.
Another interpretation of the story comes from the early Church Fathers, who saw the fish as a symbol of Christ himself. Saint Augustine, in his sermon on the Gospel of Matthew, writes:
‘The fish that was caught and brought to Peter represents Christ, who was taken captive by death and then released, rising from the dead on the third day. The coin in the fish’s mouth represents the power of the resurrection, by which Christ triumphed over death and overcame the power of sin.’
Augustine emphasizes the central role of Christ’s death and resurrection in the Christian faith, and sees the story as a symbol of the victory that Christ has won for us over sin and death.
As we reflect on this story, we can be reminded of the many ways that God works in our lives, often in unexpected and miraculous ways. We can be encouraged to trust in God’s provision, even when we cannot see how it will come about, and to remain steadfast in our faith, knowing that God is always with us and will never leave us or forsake us.
John 4:13-14 (KJV) ‘Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.’ Introduction to the Life of Saint Bernadette Saint Bernadette Soubirous, a humble peasant girl from Lourdes, France, lived her life of faith, humility, and divine grace. Born on January 7, 1844, in the small town of Lourdes, Bernadette was the eldest of nine children in a poor and struggling family. Her father, François Soubirous, was a miller, and her mother, Louise, a laundress. The family lived in a former prison cell known as the Cachot, a damp and cramped space, according to their dire financial situation. Despite their poverty, the Soubirous family was deeply rooted in their Christian faith, a foundation that would profoundly shape Bernadette’s life and spiritual journey. Bernadette’s early years were marked by significant health challenges. She suffered from asthma and other respiratory ailments, which often left her weak and unable to attend school regularly. This lack of formal education meant that Bernadette struggled with reading and writing, and her understanding of Christian doctrine was limited. Nevertheless, she possessed a remarkable simplicity and purity of heart, qualities that would make her an ideal recipient of divine revelations. Bernadette’s life changed irrevocably on February 11, 1858, when she experienced the first of eighteen apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the grotto of Massabielle. On that cold winter day, Bernadette, her sister Toinette, and a friend were gathering firewood near the grotto when she heard a rustling sound and saw a beautiful lady dressed in white with a blue sash, holding a rosary. The lady, who later identified herself as the Immaculate Conception, appeared to Bernadette over the course of several months, delivering messages of penance, prayer, and the need for a chapel to be built at the site. Despite initial skepticism from her family and the local authorities, Bernadette remained steadfast in her account of the apparitions, enduring intense scrutiny and even ridicule. The apparitions drew enormous attention. Soon, people from all over France and beyond began to visit Lourdes, hoping to witness a miracle. One of the most significant messages conveyed by the Virgin Mary to Bernadette was the instruction to dig in the ground near the grotto, which led to the discovery of a spring. This spring, believed to have healing properties, became the focal point of the pilgrimage to Lourdes. Many miraculous healings have been attributed to the waters of Lourdes, reinforcing the belief in Bernadette’s visions and the sanctity of the site. As the apparitions concluded, Bernadette’s life took a different turn. In 1866, she joined the Sisters of Charity in Nevers, taking the name Sister Marie-Bernard. Her time in the convent was marked by continued poor health and humility, as she carried out menial tasks and lived a life of quiet service. Despite her physical suffering, Bernadette remained devout and accepted her hardships with grace, often repeating the phrase, “I am happier here in my little corner of the convent.” Her unwavering faith and dedication to her religious duties exemplified the depth of her spiritual commitment. Bernadette Soubirous passed away on April 16, 1879, at the age of 35, after a prolonged battle with tuberculosis. Her legacy, however, endured far beyond her earthly life. In 1933, she was canonized as a saint by Pope Pius XI, recognized for her humility, faith, and the miraculous events associated with her life. Today, millions of pilgrims flock to Lourdes each year, seeking spiritual renewal and physical healing at the site of her visions. Saint Bernadette’s life continues to inspire countless individuals around the world, reminding us of the power of faith, the virtue of humility, and the enduring presence of divine grace in our lives. To Visit Lourdes Visiting Lourdes, in the picturesque foothills of the Pyrenees in southwestern France, is an experience that transcends the physical journey, drawing pilgrims into a profound spiritual adventure. The small town, known for the Marian apparitions witnessed by Saint Bernadette Soubirous in 1858, has become one of the world’s most revered pilgrimage sites. As we approach the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, the atmosphere is imbued with a palpable sense of reverence and anticipation. The grand basilicas, the tranquil Grotto of Massabielle and the gently flowing waters of the miraculous spring together create a sacred environment that invites reflection, prayer, and a deep connection with the divine. The focal point of any visit to Lourdes is the Grotto, where Bernadette experienced the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Here, pilgrims can touch the rock face, light candles, and drink or bathe in the spring’s water, believed to possess healing properties. The profound silence and sense of sacredness at the Grotto allow visitors to contemplate their faith, seek solace and find spiritual renewal. The Rosary Basilica, with its mosaics, and the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, perched above the Grotto, offer spaces for communal worship and personal meditation. The nightly candlelight processions, where pilgrims from around the globe unite in prayer and song, highlight the universal bond of faith and hope that Lourdes represents. Beyond its physical beauty and historical significance, visiting Lourdes offers a deeply personal and transformative experience. Pilgrims often arrive burdened with ailments, grief, or spiritual crises, seeking comfort and miracles. The stories of healing and faith that emerge from Lourdes are testimonies to the enduring power of belief and the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The communal aspect of the pilgrimage—sharing meals, prayers, and stories with fellow believers—fosters a sense of solidarity and mutual support. For many, the visit to Lourdes is a journey of healing, not only of the body but also of the soul, providing a renewed sense of purpose, peace, and spiritual clarity that lingers long after returning home. Prayer With Saint Bernadette Prayer for Intercession Dear […]
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