This is a very short passage. It’s about discretion, choosing when to fight and when to just let thing slide. It’s about choosing not to be arrogant, and not to give offense — when the other does not have a right to demand what they are asking.
22As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into human hands, 23and they will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised.” And they were greatly distressed.
24When they reached Capernaum, the collectors of the temple tax came to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the temple tax?” 25He said, “Yes, he does.” And when he came home, Jesus spoke of it first, asking, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tribute? From their children or from others?” 26When Peter said, “From others,” Jesus said to him, “Then the children are free. 27However, so that we do not give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook; take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a coin; take that and give it to them for you and me.”
This world is fallen. There is error and oppression everywhere, including in the church, and no church is perfect. None of us who blog in the traditional sphere are perfect, and most of us are honest enough to say this.
And in this world we have to select when we confront. Christ could have said he was the son of God, and his brethren were his brothers, for it was true. But instead he paid the temple tax, doing a small miracle in the process… for he had true faith, and knew his father would provide. The confrontation also has a political sense to it: “are you a citizen. Do you pay taxes?”.
There are some times when we have to just accept the laws are unjust and not fight. And there are times when we have to say, with Peter, that we will obey the Laws of God and not man: but note the issue.
This argument was about a penny or two — say $100 in today’s money. Peter’s argument was about not being able to proclaim the word of God. To select we have to know our mission, and choose our battles accordingly. With care and wisdom.