King James Version

What Does Matthew 17:25 Mean?

Matthew 17:25 in the King James Version says “He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do t... — study this verse from Matthew chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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 · KJV


Context

23

And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.

24

And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? tribute: called in the original, didrachma, being in value fifteen pence sterling; about thirty seven cents

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?

26

Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.

27

Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, 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. a piece: or, a stater: it is half an ounce of silver, in value two shillings and six pence, sterling; about fifty five cents


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him (λέγει, Ναί. καὶ ὅτε εἰσῆλθεν εἰς τὴν οἰκίαν, προέφθασεν αὐτὸν ὁ Ἰησοῦς)—Peter's immediate 'Yes' (Ναί) affirms Jesus's practice of paying the tax. The verb προφθάνω (prophthānō, 'to anticipate, to come before, to prevent' in older English meaning 'precede') shows Jesus initiated conversation before Peter could speak. This demonstrates Jesus's omniscience—He knew the encounter Peter just had. His supernatural knowledge validates His subsequent teaching.

What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? (Τί σοι δοκεῖ, Σίμων; οἱ βασιλεῖς τῆς γῆς ἀπὸ τίνων λαμβάνουσιν τέλη ἢ κῆνσον;)—Jesus uses Socratic questioning. The terms τέλος (indirect tax, custom) and κῆνσος (direct tax, tribute) cover all taxation. Of their own children, or of strangers? (ἀπὸ τῶν υἱῶν αὐτῶν ἢ ἀπὸ τῶν ἀλλοτρίων;)—the contrast is between υἱοί (sons, heirs, royal family) and ἀλλότριοι (strangers, aliens, foreigners). Jesus establishes the principle that kings tax subjects, not their own family.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Roman taxation in first-century Judea was extensive and resented. The temple tax, however, was Jewish self-taxation for worship, not foreign oppression. Jesus's analogy assumes understanding of Near Eastern monarchies where royal families enjoyed tax exemption—they controlled the treasury, making self-taxation absurd. Persian, Greek, and Roman practice all exempted rulers' families from taxes levied on subjects. Jesus applies this earthly principle to heavenly reality.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus's omniscience (knowing Peter's conversation) encourage you that He knows your circumstances before you pray?
  2. What does Jesus's Socratic teaching method reveal about effective discipleship—asking questions rather than merely lecturing?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 35 words
λέγων,1 of 35

He saith

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

Ναί2 of 35

Yes

G3483

yes

καὶ3 of 35

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ὅτε4 of 35

when

G3753

at which (thing) too, i.e., when

εἰσῆλθεν5 of 35

he was come

G1525

to enter (literally or figuratively)

εἰς6 of 35

into

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὴν7 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

οἰκίαν8 of 35

the house

G3614

properly, residence (abstractly), but usually (concretely) an abode (literally or figuratively); by implication, a family (especially domestics)

προέφθασεν9 of 35

prevented

G4399

to get an earlier start of, i.e., anticipate

αὐτῶν10 of 35

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

11 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰησοῦς12 of 35

Jesus

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

λέγων,13 of 35

He saith

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

τίνων14 of 35

What

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

σοι15 of 35

thou

G4671

to thee

δοκεῖ16 of 35

thinkest

G1380

compare the base of g1166) of the same meaning; to think; by implication, to seem (truthfully or uncertainly)

Σίμων17 of 35

Simon

G4613

simon (i.e., shimon), the name of nine israelites

οἱ18 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

βασιλεῖς19 of 35

the kings

G935

a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively)

τῆς20 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

γῆς21 of 35

of the earth

G1093

soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)

ἀπὸ22 of 35

of

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

τίνων23 of 35

What

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

λαμβάνουσιν24 of 35

do

G2983

while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))

τέλη25 of 35

custom

G5056

properly, the point aimed at as a limit, i.e., (by implication) the conclusion of an act or state (termination (literally, figuratively or indefinitel

26 of 35

or

G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

κῆνσον27 of 35

tribute

G2778

properly, an enrollment ("census"), i.e., (by implication) a tax

ἀπὸ28 of 35

of

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

τῶν29 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

υἱῶν30 of 35

children

G5207

a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship

αὐτῶν31 of 35

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

32 of 35

or

G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

ἀπὸ33 of 35

of

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

τῶν34 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀλλοτρίων35 of 35

strangers

G245

another's, i.e., not one's own; by extension foreign, not akin, hostile


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Matthew. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Matthew 17:25 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Matthew 17:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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