It is quite natural that the writing of one story concerning Elias should suggest another; but reason forbids the acceptance of both as true. If Elias was seen and recognized at the mountain, as stated, the above conversation did not follow that appearance. 204 What ailed the man's son whom Jesus cured after the Transfiguration? Matthew (Old Ver.): He was a lunatic (xvii, 15). Matthew (New Ver.): He was an epileptic. Mark: He had "a dumb spirit" (ix, 17). 205 When the authorities at Capernaum demanded tribute of Jesus what did he command Peter to do? "Go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money; that take, and give unto them for me and thee" (Matthew xvii, 27). Matthew does not venture to say that Peter was successful, doubtless recognizing the fact that there ought to be limits even to a fish story. Regarding this story Archbishop Trench says: "It is remarkable, and is a solitary instance of the kind, that the issue of this bidding is not told us." Dr. Farrar says: "I agree with the learned and thoughtful Olshausen in regarding this as the most difficult to comprehend of all the gospel miracles" (Life of Christ, p. 288). 206 What was the nature of the tribute demanded? It was an annual tax, known as the temple service tax, a tax from which no Jew, rich or poor, was exempt. Regarding the time and manner of its collection, Farrar says: "On the 1st of Adar, the demand was made quietly and civilly; if, however, it had not been paid by the 25th, then it seems that the collectors of the contribution (tobhin shekalim) might take a security for it from the defaulter" (Life of Christ, p. 285). The tax was always collected in the early spring. Yet according to Matthew it was collected from Jesus in the autumn, just before the feast of tabernacles. Either Matthew was ignorant of the time of its collection, or Jesus was a defaulter. Nor is this the only difficulty needing explanation. It is assumed that Peter secured the coin in the manner directed. If so, how did it come into existence? Did Jesus miraculously create it? If so, he was a counterfeiter. Was it a lost coin? In this case, if he was omniscient, as claimed, he knew the owner and should have restored it. 207 After leaving Galilee where did Jesus go? Matthew: "Into the coasts of Judea beyond Jordan" (xix, 1). The Jordan being the eastern boundary of Judea, no "coasts of Judea" existed beyond it. 208 In going to Jerusalem to attend his last Passover, what route did he take? Luke: "He passed through the midst of Samaria" (xvii, 11). Mark: He "cometh into the coasts of Judea by the farther side of the Jordan" (x, 1).