The Greek word dídrachmon, represented by G1323, refers to a double drachma (didrachm), a form of currency specifically used for tribute. This term is rare, appearing only 2 times within a single biblical verse, which frames a key question posed to the apostle Peter.
The sole context for G1323 is found in Matthew 17:24. Upon arriving in Capernaum G2584, individuals who received G2983 the tribute money approached Peter G4074. They directly questioned him about his master G1320, asking, "Doth not your master pay G5055 tribute?" This moment places Jesus and his disciples in direct interaction with the financial obligations of their time and sets the stage for a discussion on responsibility.
Several related words from this passage illuminate the context of the tribute question:
- G5055 teléō (to end, i.e. complete, execute, conclude, discharge (a debt)): This word is used for the act of paying the tribute Matthew 17:24. Its broader use includes the concept of fulfilling a purpose, as when Jesus declared, "It is finished" John 19:30.
- G1320 didáskalos (an instructor): This is the term used for master when the collectors ask Peter about Jesus. It highlights Jesus's role as a teacher and leader, whose actions were subject to public scrutiny Matthew 17:24. The same word is used when Jesus identifies himself as "Lord and Master" John 13:14.
- G2983 lambánō (to take (in very many applications, literally and figuratively)): This word describes the men who received or collected the tribute money Matthew 17:24. It signifies the act of taking or obtaining, a theme also seen in the promise that believers shall receive power from the Holy Ghost Acts 1:8.
The theological weight of G1323 is centered on the single event it describes. It raises important questions about the relationship between the divine and earthly realms.
- Civic Responsibility: The question regarding the tribute immediately places Jesus and his followers within the context of worldly systems and obligations. It demonstrates that the ministry of the master G1320 was not entirely removed from the civic and religious expectations of the day Matthew 17:24.
- Scrutiny of the Master: The inquiry is a direct examination of Jesus's conduct. By asking if the master pays the tribute, the collectors are probing his adherence to established law, thereby testing his public character and teachings.
- The Nature of Payment: The act of paying a debt, represented by the word teléō G5055, is brought to the forefront. While the verse only contains the question, it introduces the theme of fulfilling an obligation, which resonates with Jesus's ultimate mission to fulfill all things written in the scriptures Luke 18:31.
In summary, dídrachmon G1323 is a highly specific term for a tribute. Though its usage is limited to a single question in Matthew 17:24, it is significant. It marks a moment of direct inquiry into Jesus's relationship with earthly authority, highlighting his identity as a master and the obligations associated with that role. This one verse illustrates the tension and interaction between the ministry of Jesus and the established structures of his world.
TRV