Rendering of the Tribute Money (detail)

At Capernaum Jesus and his disciples are required to pay tax. The man with his back to the viewer is the publican, or tax collector. Jesus bids Peter cast his fishing line – in the mouth of the first catch a stater shall be found: a penny valued 4 drachms.

In the background left, Peter removes the coin from the fish’s mouth. The right side, not shown here, shows Peter handing the stater to the publican.