Deuteronomy, Chapter 10, verses 12-22
12 An exhortation unto obedienceMatthew, Chapter 17, verses 22-27
22 foretelleth his own passion, 24 and payeth tribute17
17:24 When they were come to Capernaum - Where our Lord now dwelt.This was the reason why they stayed till he came thither, to ask him for the tribute. Doth not your Master pay tribute? - This was a tribute or payment of a peculiar kind, being half a shekel, (that is, about fifteen pence,) which every master of a familyused to pay yearly to the service of the temple, to buy salt, and little things not otherwise provided for. It seems to have been a voluntary thing, which custom rather than any law had established.
17:25 Jesus prevented him - Just when St. Peter was going to ask him for it. Of their own sons, or of strangers? - That is, such as are not of their own family.
17:26 Then are the sons free - The sense is, This is paid for the use of the house of God. But I am the Son of God. Therefore I am free from any obligation of paying this to my own Father.
17:27 Yet that, we may not offend them - Even those unjust, unreasonable men, who claim what they have no manner of right to: do not contest it with them, bat rather yield to their demand, than violate peace or love. O what would not one of a loving spirit do for peace! Any thing which is not expressly forbidden in the word of God. A piece of money - The original word is a stater, which was in value two shillings and sixpence: just the sum that was wanted. Give for me and thee - Peter had a family of his own: the other apostles were the family of Jesus. How illustrious a degree of knowledge and power did our Lordhere discover! Knowledge, penetrating into this animal, though beneath the waters; and power, in directing this very fish to Peter's hook, though he himself was at a distance! How must this have encouraged both him and his brethren in a firm dependence on Divine Providence.
10 God's mercy, in renewing the two tables, Deu 10:1-5.
In leading Israel forward, and chusing the tribe of Levi for his own, Deu 10:6-9.
In accepting the intercession as Moses, Deu 10:10-11.
An exhortation to fear, love, and serve God, Deu 10:12-22.
10:12 What doth he require - By way of duty and gratitude for such amazing mercies.
10:14 The heaven - The airy and starry heaven. The heaven of heavens - The highest or third heaven, called the heaven of heavens for its eminency. All that therein is - With all creatures and all men, which being all his, he might have chosen what nation he pleased to be his people.
10:15 To love them - He shews that God had no particular obligation to their fathers, any more than to other persons or people, all being equally his creatures, and that his choice of them out of and above all others, proceeded only from God's good pleasure.
10:16 Circumcise - Rest not in your bodily circumcision, but seriously set upon that substantial work which is signified thereby: cleanse your hearts from all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, fitly compared to the foreskin, which if not cut off, made persons profane, unclean and odious in the sight of God.
10:17 Regardeth not persons - Whether Jews or Gentiles, but deals justly and equally with all sorts of men; and as whosoever fears and obeys him shall be accepted, so all incorrigible transgressors shall be severely punished, and you no less than other people: therefore do not flatter yourselves as if God would bear with your sins because of his particular kindness to you or to your fathers.
10:18 He doth execute - That is, plead their cause, and give them right against their potent adversaries, and therefore he expects you should do so too.
10:20 To him shalt thou cleave - With firm confidence, true affection, and constant obedience.
10:21 Thy praise - The object and matter of thy praise, as Exo 15:2, whom thou shouldest ever praise.