What Does Matthew 17:27 Mean in the King James?

Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

Matthew 17:27 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

THE KEY

The word translated “offend” means to cause a stumble, so Jesus’ freedom includes refusing to make it an obstacle for others.

THE MEANING

Jesus is free of the temple tax, yet attentive to how that freedom affects others. The coin comes from the fish’s mouth and covers both his and Peter’s payment. Freedom remains real while its expression avoids laying a stumbling block in another’s path.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

Freedom requires proving itself by refusing every accommodation.

THE ROOT

σκανδαλίσωμεν

skandalisōmen

GROWS FROM

σκάνδαλ-

skandal-

Snare, trap, or stumbling block

English “offend” can sound like bruising someone’s feelings; this word pictures causing a stumble, as if setting a snare in someone’s path. The concern is making their way harder, while the coin lets Jesus and Peter meet the obligation without turning Jesus’ freedom into that obstacle.

ALSO GROWS

skandalon: Snare; stumbling block

σκάνδαλον

The family’s concrete image is a trap or obstruction, giving “offend” more weight than hurt feelings.

skandalizō: Cause someone to stumble; ensnare

σκανδαλίζω

This verb names the act Jesus wants to avoid: making another person stumble.

skandalismos: Stumbling; occasion of stumbling

σκανδαλισμός

This related noun describes the obstacle or occasion that can trip someone up.

THE PATTERN

Freedom can become a stumbling block when its expression trips another’s way.

And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Isaiah 8:14 · KJVThe same obstacle image appears as a stone that trips those who encounter it.

Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.

Romans 14:13 · KJVThe image becomes a shared responsibility: avoid placing an obstacle in another’s path.

But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.

1 Corinthians 8:9 · KJVHere, liberty itself can become the obstacle when its expression trips someone else.

THE THREAD

But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

Matthew 16:23 · KJV

Here Peter is called an “offence,” a stumbling block that tries to turn Jesus from his way. In this verse the same word family concerns preventing a stumble for others, showing both sides of the image: becoming an obstacle and choosing not to create one.

Read the SDV Bible.

Every verse has a Deep Dive in the app.

Get Selah Verse

The iPhone Bible app with the Selah Decoded Version.

Does something in this reading look wrong? Tell us