Pulling it all together...

However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.” (Matthew 17:27 ESV) Peter was up against the wall. He and Jesus owed the temple tax. He had stuck his neck out and said Jesus would pay His, and he was not sure where either of them would get the money. After a lesson about Who He really was(which basically said Jesus was tax-exempt as the Son of God...) Jesus takes care of it all with one simple... but overwhelming solution. Matthew does not record what happened, as with the other Gospels, but by now Jesus has a proven track record. Peter caught the fish, paid their taxes, and learned a lifetime lesson: Christ will take care of it.