17:27a

But: There is a contrast here. The contrast is between what Jesus implied (that he and Peter should not be required to pay the tax), and what he commanded Peter to do (pay the tax for both of them). The Berean Standard Bible indicates this contrast with the conjunction But.

Here is another way to indicate this contrast:

However (English Standard Version)

If people in your area do not understand this contrast, you may want to:

• Make the contrast explicit in the text. For example:

⌊So then we are also exempt.⌋ However
-or-

⌊Likewise we are not required to pay.⌋ But

This implied information can be put at the end of 17:26 (as in the Display), or at the beginning of 17:27.

• Explain the contrast in a footnote. Here is a sample footnote:

Jesus implied that God did not require Jesus and his followers to pay this tax for the temple.

so that we may not offend them: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as offend them also means “shock” or “anger.” It refers to someone doing something that causes others to be upset with him. If Jesus had refused to pay the temple tax, the tax collectors would have been angry or upset with him.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

so that we don’t offend them (NET Bible)
-or-
we don’t want to upset these tax collectors (New Century Version)

-or

we don’t want them to be angry/irritated at us ⌊by not paying the tax⌋
-or-

⌊If we do not pay the tax,⌋ these men will be upset with us. We don’t want to do that.

them: The pronoun them refers to the tax collectors.

Here are some other ways to translate this pronoun:

these people (Good News Translation)
-or-
these tax collectors (New Century Version)

17:27b

go to the sea: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as sea refers to a large freshwater lake. It was Lake Galilee which was also called the Sea of Galilee. This lake is 23 kilometers long and 10 kilometers wide (14 miles long and 6 miles wide).

Here is another way to translate this clause:

go to the lake (New International Version)

The word sea last occurred in 15:29b. You should translate it here as you did there.

cast a hook: The Greek words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as cast a hook are more literally “throw a fishhook.” Jesus told Peter to catch a fish using a hook that a small rope or string was tied to. You should use your natural expression for catching a fish in this way.

Here are some other ways to translate these words:

throw out your fishing line
-or-
fish with a line/hook

If your culture does not fish in this way, use a general expression for catching a fish. For example:

catch a fish
-or-
go fishing

take the first fish you catch: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as fish you catch probably refers to a fish swimming up from deep water to bite the hook. You should translate the idea of catching a fish in a way that is natural in your language. For example:

Take the first fish that comes up (English Standard Version)
-or-
Take the first fish that bites (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

17:27c

you will find a four-drachma coin: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as four-drachma coin is the name of a Greek coin called a stater. This coin was worth enough to pay the temple tax for two people.

Here is another way to translate this word:

a coin (God’s Word)
-or-
a large silver coin (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
a coin worth enough for my Temple tax and yours (Good News Translation)

17:27d

Take it and give it to them: The pronoun it refers to the coin. The pronoun them refers to the tax collectors.

Here is another way to translate this clause:

Take that coin and give it to the tax collectors (New Century Version)

for My tax and yours: The coin was worth enough to pay the temple tax for Jesus and Peter.

The Berean Standard Bible follows the Greek order and says My tax and yours. In some languages, it is more natural to say “you and me.” (See the Contemporary English Version below.) You should follow the order that is most natural in your language.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

to pay your taxes and mine (Contemporary English Version)

-or-

and pay the tax for both of us (New Living Translation (2004))