Fresh Eyes and Bible Surprises: Matthew 17:27

Need a Coin? Check the Fish’s Mouth.

Verse of the Week:

“But so that we may not cause offense, go to the sea, cast a hook, and take the first fish that comes up. When you open its mouth, you will find a coin. Take it and give it to them for Me and you.” – Matthew 17:27 (CSB)

Okay, real talk?

If I had a dollar for every time I panicked over finances, I wouldn’t need a miracle fish. I’d just be casually sipping a fancy coffee, donating to three ministries, and paying my taxes early like a boss.

But life doesn’t usually work that way. And neither did it for Peter.
Which is why this passage hit me like a divinely flung tuna.

Jesus tells Peter—calm as you please—to go catch a fish. Not because they’re hungry. Not for sport. But because there’s a coin in that fish’s mouth.
The exact amount needed to pay the temple tax.

Pause.
A coin. Inside a fish. At just the right time.
Excuse me?

This is not your standard “trust God for your provision” sermon. This is full-blown check the wildlife for money territory. I’ve heard this passage before, but this time something different hit me:
Jesus didn’t just provide. He did it creatively, weirdly, and hilariously on time.

He didn’t tell Peter to go ask Judas to open the treasury.
He didn’t say, “Let’s do a bake sale, boys.”
He said, “Grab a hook. The first fish will have what we need.”

Can you imagine Peter walking off like, “Sure. Just gonna go yank currency out of sea creatures now.”

This is the kind of moment that makes me laugh and fall to my knees.
Because I’ve had seasons where I needed God to show up for something stupidly specific.
And now, reading this, I realize… He might be a little extra, but He is never late.

This passage isn’t just about provision. It’s about:

• Trusting instructions that sound weird.

• Obeying when you don’t see how it’s going to work.

• And realizing God might just be working the miracle before you even know there’s a need.

So yeah. Maybe the next time something unexpected shows up, I’ll remember this little fish story.
And maybe, just maybe… I’ll stop checking my bank app and start looking for what God’s already hidden in the water.

Hidden Pearl #1: Divine Provision Doesn’t Have to Be Logical

Jesus didn’t give Peter a normal solution.
He gave him a ridiculous-sounding instruction—
and tucked the miracle into it.

Why? Because sometimes God doesn’t show you the provision until you obey.
Peter didn’t get the coin first and then decide to go fishing.
He went fishing, and then found the coin.

God isn’t bound by the math.
If He says the provision’s in the fish… then grab your pole, even if it makes zero earthly sense.

Hidden Pearl #2: The First Fish Is the Right Fish

Jesus didn’t say, “Fish all day and eventually you’ll get lucky.”
He said: “Take the first fish that comes up.”

Translation?
God’s provision doesn’t run on trial and error. It runs on precision.

Your obedience might not lead to a long journey of “figuring it out.”
It might just be a short walk to the water, a single act of faith, and a very surprised fish.

Hidden Pearl #3: God Can Handle Your Tab—Even the Weird Ones

• Let’s zoom out.
  This was a tax. Not a soul. Not a healing. Not a broken leg or a demon to cast out.

• It was a governmental fee.
  And Jesus still paid it—with a miracle.

• If He cares enough to send fish money for something that feels that…mundane…
  then yes, friend—He cares about your light bill.
  Your rent.
  Your busted brakes.
  Your unexpected dental work you didn’t budget for because your molar betrayed you.

He sees it all. And He’s creative about how He shows up.

REAP Study Guide

R – Read: Matthew 17:24–27
E – Examine: What issue was Jesus responding to? Why do you think He chose a fish instead of a more “normal” solution?
A – Apply: Where in your life are you worried about provision? Could God be asking you to take a strange step of faith?
P – Pray: (👇 See below!)

Reflection Questions

• What’s your “fish moment”—a time when God provided in a way that made no sense but left you in awe?

• Are you looking for provision only in logical places—or are you listening for unexpected instructions?

• Is there a current need you’re stressing over that you could surrender in prayer instead?

Prayer: When My Wallet’s Empty and God Says Go Fishing

Lord,
You see the needs I try to handle on my own.
The ones that keep me up at night, clutching spreadsheets instead of Scripture.

But You never panic.
You don’t need me to hustle harder—You just ask me to trust deeper.

If the miracle is in the fish,
help me grab the hook and cast anyway.
Even if it’s weird.
Even if it’s small.
Even if it doesn’t make sense to anyone but You.

And Lord?
If You do want to drop a surprise blessing…
I’m not above checking a few fish.

Amen.