FISHERS OF MONEY

May 17, 2026

Lady Apostle Diana Adu

Matthew is divided up by five discourses, parts where Jesus talks a lot. The sections between discourses seem to form chiasms, symmetrical sets of related stories where each pair makes some sort of related point. And the points are often related to the preceeding discourse. The structure of the 14-17 interlude is based around the parable of the soils in the third discourse (most of chapter 13). We get four notable stories, at evenly spaced intervals. Jesus is rejected in Nazareth (some are not willing to repent, seed on the path), Peter walks on the water and then sinks (some are overwhelmed with worry, seed on rocky (Peter rocky haha) soil), Peter rebukes Jesus for predicting his own persecution and death (some fall away with persecution, thorny soil), Peter does the ridiculous thing and goes and catches a fish with a coin in its mouth (some are ready and faithful, good soil). Notably, Peter is three of the four soils. The reflection seems to be that Jesus commands a totally ridiculous thing, to go fetch or (fish money) and Peter does it anyway, because that's what a good disciple does. The stories interspersed between the four soil analogs in 14-17 seem to line up with the other parables in chapter 13 about the Kingdom of God, being about salvation, new creation, forgiveness, inclusion, and growth. Growth not by human nor demonic power and might but by the Ruach Hakadosh, The power and might of the Spirit of God. The fish and the coin pericope is a unique miracle found only in the Gospel of Matthew (17:24–27). It demonstrates Matthew's understanding of Jesus' emancipatory living in terms of a cultural anthropological interpretation of God's uniqueness and holiness. It places emphasis on its fulfilment on "the covenant promise" to Abraham and it's belief that the one fulfilment in connection with the miracle story about Peter miraculously finding a silver (Tyrian) coin in the mouth of a fish from the Sea of Galilee, through Jesus' intervention. The following questions receive attention: What are the place and role of Mt 17:24-27 within the immediate and broader context of the Gospel of Matthew? For our understanding of this passage, what is the implication of the recent archaeological discovery of silver Tyrian coins with images of sea-creatures? With a view to the exploitation of society's weak ones and the believer's relationship with money how should this Peter-pericope help us harness full our divine call to become fishers of men and of money. Letsy explore the conversation between Jesus and Peter regarding the payment of the Temple tax. In this discourse titled, "fishers of money." A continuation on my sermon series on Kingdom Wealth Finance and Generational Transfer. Please stay tunned.