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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
And what is this "didrachma?" When God had slain the firstborn of the Egyptians, then He took the tribe of Levi in their stead. Afterwards, because the number of the tribe was less than of the firstborn among the Jews, for them that are wanting to make up the number, He commanded a shekel to be contributed: and moreover a custom came thereby in force, that the firstborn should pay this tribute. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received the two-drachma tax came to Peter and said, Doth not your master pay the tax? He saith, Yes. God wished to consecrate to Himself the tribe of Levi in the place of the first-born sons of the Hebrews. The tribe of Levi was found to number only 22,000; yet the first-born sons of all twelve tribes numbered 22,273. (Num. …
Western Saints
Jerome
And when they came to Capernaum, those who received the didrachma came to Peter and said, 'Does your teacher not pay the didrachma?' He said, 'Yes.' After Augustus Caesar, Judea became subject to taxes, and all were registered. Hence, Joseph with Mary, his betrothed, went to Bethlehem to be registered. Again, since he was brought up in Nazareth (which is a town in Galilee, adjacent to the city of Capernaum), they demand taxes as custom dictates. …
Hilary of Poitiers
The Lord is asked to pay a half-shekel. For this was the amount that the law had established for those serving in the temple for the redemption of soul and body. But the law, as we know, is the foreshadowing of the future (for it was not the value of the coin that God desired so that with such a small expense redemption of soul and body might be granted for sins). …
Thomas Aquinas
And when they had come to Capharnaum. Having completed the tranquility of glory, he presents the payment of the tribute; Isaiah 14:4: the tribute has ceased; Job 3:19: the servant is free from his master. Hence he does three things. First he presents the exaction of the tribute; secondly, the freedom of the sons; thirdly, the payment of the tribute. He says and when they had entered, etc. A didrachma is called a double drachma. Hence every Jew owed a double drachma each year. But whence was this tribute? …
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