Peter, James, and John went up with Jesus to a mountaintop and, there, were witness to…

an experience like no other that Jesus had ever led them to view.

Their Master Teacher was transfigured before them; His face shone like the sun.

His clothing became white as the light or snow, like no launderer on earth could have done.

They then saw Him conversing with Moses and Elijah, who had supernaturally appeared.

God spoke from out of a bright cloud that overshadowed them. Falling down, the disciples feared.

“This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. Hear Him,” were the words that God, the Father, came to declare.

Thereafter, Jesus touched them, telling them to not be afraid. Then they stood up and found that only Jesus was there.

Clearly, they’d seen that Jesus was the Son of God Almighty, with all that that could mean…

Yet, later, we see Peter being approached by some men in Capernaum at a different Biblical scene.

The men were collectors of the temple tax and questioned Peter as to whether his Teacher would pay.

Peter said that He would—then entered the house where Jesus was, to see what He would say.

Jesus knew what Peter was going to ask but first questioned him, on from whom the kings of the earth drew tax collection.

Was it from their sons or was it from strangers, Jesus asked. Peter chose “strangers” as the obvious selection.

“So the sons are free,” Jesus was emphasizing, so that Peter would have firm realization…

that, as the Son of His Father, God, He had special status or privilege, as magnificently shown at the transfiguration.

Jesus really didn’t need to pay, but with humility and not wanting to offend, he sent Peter out to go down to the sea.

There, by casting in a hook and taking the first fish that he caught—in its mouth, he would find a coin to cover the exact fee.

As a disciple of Christ, Peter, too, was free. Yet, Jesus paid the temple tax for them both in this Matthew, chapter 17, story.

In even greater humility, He went to the cross, where He paid for all who’ll believe, so that they, too, can be free, as a son or daughter of the King…of glory!

P. A. Oltrogge

“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.” Hebrews 1:1-4

“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:26

“But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” Galatians 4:4-7

“So the Jews answered and said to Him, “What sign do You show to us, since You do these things?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” Then the Jews said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?” But He was speaking of the temple of His body. Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said.” John 2:18-22

“Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free’. They answered Him, ‘We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can you say, ‘You will be made free’?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.’” John 8:31-36

“Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’” John 20:16-17

“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

Also, Mark 9, the transfiguration account

(Scriptures NKJV)