The motif of a fish with a coin in its mouth carries different meanings across various cultures and beliefs:
- Miracle of Jesus: The most prominent appearance of this motif is in the Gospel of Matthew 17:24-27, where Jesus instructs Peter to catch a fish and find a coin in its mouth to pay the temple tax for both of them.
- Symbolism: This miracle emphasizes Jesus’ divine authority and ability to provide for his followers in unexpected ways. It is also interpreted as a lesson in obedience and trust in God’s provision.
- Avoiding Offense: This was the only miracle Jesus performed specifically to avoid causing offense, highlighting his wisdom and concern for not creating unnecessary obstacles to his message.
- Maneki Neko (Lucky Cat): While often depicted holding a gold coin, some Maneki Neko variations also feature a fish, particularly the Koi fish.
- Meaning: In the context of Maneki Neko, a fish symbolizes abundance and prosperity, especially success in business.
- Koi Fish: The Koi fish itself is a highly respected symbol in Japanese culture, representing good luck, perseverance, strength, and overcoming adversity.
- Festival Tradition: There’s a tradition at the Tōka Ebisu Festival in Japan of attaching coins to tuna, symbolizing prayer for business prosperity and financial luck, [according to a Facebook post].
- Abundance and Prosperity: The Chinese character for fish, “yu” (魚), is a homophone for “abundance” (裕 or 餘), leading to the association of fish with wealth and surplus.
- Good Fortune: Fish, especially Koi, are considered lucky charms and symbols of good fortune in Chinese New Year greetings and other contexts.
- Feng Shui: In feng shui, Koi fish are powerful symbols of good fortune and perseverance, and artwork featuring them, especially holding gold coins, can symbolize the safeguarding and accumulation of wealth.
In essence, the fish with a coin in its mouth represents divine provision, unexpected blessings, good fortune, abundance, and prosperity across these different cultural and religious contexts. It serves as a reminder of trusting in higher powers and the potential for good things to come, even in seemingly ordinary situations.
What is the meaning of the coin in the fish’s mouth?
This miracle proved the Lord’s omniscience, for He knew of this fish in the sea with a coin in his mouth. Moreover, it proved the Lord’s omnipotence, for He made it come to Peter’s hook. Christ speaks to Peter with such calm confidence. Surely, He is a free Son of the Lord of Lords and the Creator Himself.
Why did Jesus put the coin in the fish mouth scripture?
The coin in the fish’s mouth anticipates the climactic supply of blessing through the death and resurrection of Christ. A dramatic reiteration of this principle was appropriate in the context of the temple tax. The temple was the temple of God. As such, it foreshadowed Christ, whose body is the temple (John 2:21).
What does the Bible say about the coin in the fish mouth?
I can help with that. Matthew 17:27 NIV. “But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”
Who found money in the mouth of a fish?
Thanks for asking. Jesus asked Peter to go back to his old occupation for one more catch, and when Peter caught the fish, he found in its mouth a shekel — enough money to pay the temple tax of both Jesus and Peter.