Matthew 17:25
He said, “Yes.” And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Jesus, knowing Peter's thoughts and the encounter outside, doesn't wait for Peter to explain but speaks first, gently drawing him into a deeper understanding. He asks about earthly kings and their families to highlight a profound truth: Jesus, as the Son of God, is not subject to the temple tax in the same way that a king's own children are exempt from their father's dues.
Peter, surprised by the temple tax collectors asking if Jesus paid, quickly answers "Yes" without consulting Him, assuming Jesus would pay as usual. Jesus, knowing Peter's response and the situation, meets Peter inside and poses a question about earthly kings and their subjects to lead into a deeper discussion about His identity and relationship to God's kingdom. This interaction sets the stage for Jesus to explain why He, as the Son of God, is exempt from this temple tax.
Imagine telling your friend a secret, only to find out they already knew and had a whole lesson planned based on it! Jesus does exactly this with Peter.
When Peter returns from dealing with the temple collectors, Jesus doesn't wait for him to explain. The text says Jesus 'prevented him,' meaning He spoke first, anticipating Peter's unspoken concerns. This highlights Jesus' deep knowledge and intimate relationship with His disciples. He wasn't just aware of Peter's actions but also his inner thoughts and worries. This wasn't about catching Peter off guard; it was a gentle, relational way to guide him toward a profound truth.
Jesus uses a simple analogy about earthly kings and their families to reveal a shocking truth about His own identity and our status.
Jesus asks Peter who kings tax: their own children or others? Peter correctly answers, 'others.' Jesus then draws the implication: if earthly kings don't tax their own sons, then He, as the Son of God, should be exempt from the temple tax, which was designated for God's service. This isn't about shirking responsibility; it's a declaration of divine identity. The 'children' represent those who belong to the king's household, those intimately connected. By extension, Jesus is revealing that He and, by His grace, those who are His, are part of God's own family and therefore free from this particular obligation.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Matthew 17:25 is available in the Sola app.
Understand the original words
telos ē kēnson · Greek Noun
A payment or tribute exacted by a ruler or governing authority. Thematically, it represents the obligation of subjects to support the kingdom or the state.
This interaction highlights the Jewish practice of paying a Temple tax for the upkeep of the sanctuary, a tax that Jesus, as the Son of God, was technically exempt from. His instruction to Peter reveals His divine identity and His Father's ownership of the Temple.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Temple Tax Demand
Tax collectors approach Peter, asking if Jesus pays the annual half-shekel Temple tax, a levy meant to support the upkeep of the Jerusalem Temple and its services.
c. 30 AD
Peter's Affirmative Reply
Peter, perhaps hastily and without consulting Jesus, agrees that Jesus will pay the tax, likely assuming it was a standard obligation for all Jewish men.
c. 30 AD
Jesus' Question to Peter
Inside a house, Jesus anticipates Peter's intention to discuss the matter and asks him a probing question about whether earthly kings tax their own sons or others.
c. 30 AD
Peter's Answer and Jesus' Revelation
Peter correctly answers that kings tax others, not their sons. Jesus then uses this to reveal His own divine sonship and His Father's ownership of the Temple, implying He, as the Son of God, is exempt from the tax.
c. 30 AD
Miraculous Provision of the Tax
To avoid causing offense, Jesus instructs Peter to go to the sea and catch a fish, stating that the money needed for the tax will be found in its mouth.
This passage details the half-shekel temple tax, which is the very tribute Jesus and Peter are discussing, highlighting its religious purpose for the 'service of the tent of meeting'.
1 Samuel 10:25This verse records Samuel explaining the 'rights of the kingdom' to the Israelites, a concept analogous to the rights and responsibilities between a king and his subjects, which Jesus uses to contrast with His divine sonship.
Nehemiah 5:4Here, the people complain about heavy taxes and usury, showing the burden of earthly taxation that Jesus contrasts with the special status of 'sons' who are exempt.
John 8:36Jesus proclaims 'So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed,' which echoes the idea that as the Son of God, He (and by extension, those in His spiritual family) is inherently free from earthly obligations.
bengelMatthew 17:25: "He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?"
Matthew 17:25 . Ναὶ , yes ) It is clear therefore that our Lord had paid it the previous year.[800]— ὅτε εἰσῆλθεν εἰς τὴν οἰκιαν , when he was come into the house ) for that very purpose.— προέφθασεν , prevented, anticipated ) Peter was wishing to ask [when Jesus anticipated…
clarkeMatthew 17:25: "He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?"
He saith, Yes - From this reply of Peter, it is evident that our Lord customarily paid all taxes, tributes, etc., which were common among the people wherever he came. The children of God are subject to all civil laws in the places where they live - and should pay the taxes le…
Jesus, knowing Peter's thoughts and the encounter outside, doesn't wait for Peter to explain but speaks first, gently drawing him into a deeper understanding. He asks about earthly kings and their families to highlight a profound truth: Jesus, as the Son of God, is not subject to the temple tax in the same way that a king's own children are exempt from their father's dues.
Peter, surprised by the temple tax collectors asking if Jesus paid, quickly answers "Yes" without consulting Him, assuming Jesus would pay as usual. Jesus, knowing Peter's response and the situation, meets Peter inside and poses a question about earthly kings and their subjects to lead into a deeper discussion about His identity and relationship to God's kingdom. This interaction sets the stage for Jesus to explain why He, as the Son of God, is exempt from this temple tax.
Peter, surprised by the temple tax collectors asking if Jesus paid, quickly answers "Yes" without consulting Him, assuming Jesus would pay as usual. Jesus, knowing Peter's response and the situation, meets Peter inside and poses a question about earthly kings and their subjects to lead into a deeper discussion about His identity and relationship to God's kingdom. This interaction sets the stage for Jesus to explain why He, as the Son of God, is exempt from this temple tax.
"He said, “Yes.” And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others?”" — Jesus, knowing Peter's thoughts and the encounter outside, doesn't wait for Peter to explain but speaks first, gently drawing him into a deeper understanding. He asks about earthly kings and their fa…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
