Do you believe Jesus understands the needs of your life? In my view, the story of the coin in the fish’s mouth not only proves that Jesus understands our practical necessities, but that he orchestrates every detail. It is interesting to me that this miracle is only recorded in the book of Matthew. It is the only miracle involving money. Why do you suppose Matthew is the one who captured this story? Could it be because Matthew was a former tax collector? Furthermore, it is the only miracle Jesus performed that met His own personal need.
In Matthew 17:24-27, the temple tax collectors came to Peter and asked if Jesus paid the temple tax. I don’t think Peter knew how to respond, because he gave them a one word answer. “Yes.” In verse 25, he goes back to the house where Jesus was, and before he could say anything, Jesus challenged Peter’s thinking. Before Peter could even present the question, Jesus already had the solution. According to verses 25-26, Jesus was free from paying any tax, for the sons of the King are not subjected to taxes.
However, in verse 27, Jesus teaches the responsibility of believers to pay what is owed. So He tells Peter to go fishing with a hook, and the first fish he catches, he will find a shekel in its mouth. Scholars believe Peter would have caught a tilapia fish. This is why tilapia is sometimes called St. Peter’s fish. They are known for carrying their eggs in their mouths. Once the eggs release, they experience an empty-nest type syndrome. They will look for any shiny object–rocks, metal, and even coins–to carry in their mouths.
The miracle was not that there was a coin in the fish’s mouth. The miracle is in the omniscience of Jesus to orchestrate every detail in this event. The miracle was also in Peter’s obedience to do exactly as Christ commanded. In the Scriptures, Peter fished with nets, but in this case, the Lord told him to use a hook. Are you obedient to the Lord even in small and subtle details? Jesus knows and understands the practical needs of your life (even like paying taxes), and He is able to provide for us when we are careful to walk in obedience.