After Peter was confronted by those who collected taxes from the Temple, he wanted to ask Jesus about these kinds of taxes. Jesus anticipated his question and told him before he had a chance to speak, “What do you think, Simon? Whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?”
“From strangers.” Peter answered.
“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” (Mathew 17:25-17).
There are things we are free not to do, but we do them, not because people command it, but simply because it will keep them from stumbling.
