Matthew 17:25

Authorized King James Version

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?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
λέγων,
G3004
He saith
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
#2
Ναί
G3483
Yes
yes
#3
καὶ
G2532
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#4
ὅτε
G3753
when
at which (thing) too, i.e., when
#5
εἰσῆλθεν
G1525
he was come
to enter (literally or figuratively)
#6
εἰς
G1519
into
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
#7
τὴν
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#8
οἰκίαν
G3614
the house
properly, residence (abstractly), but usually (concretely) an abode (literally or figuratively); by implication, a family (especially domestics)
#9
προέφθασεν
G4399
prevented
to get an earlier start of, i.e., anticipate
#10
αὐτῶν
G846
him
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
ὁ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#12
Ἰησοῦς
G2424
Jesus
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
#13
λέγων,
G3004
He saith
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
#14
τίνων
G5101
What
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
#15
σοι
G4671
thou
to thee
#16
δοκεῖ
G1380
thinkest
compare the base of g1166) of the same meaning; to think; by implication, to seem (truthfully or uncertainly)
#17
Σίμων
G4613
Simon
simon (i.e., shimon), the name of nine israelites
#18
οἱ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#19
βασιλεῖς
G935
the kings
a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively)
#20
τῆς
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#21
γῆς
G1093
of the earth
soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)
#22
ἀπὸ
G575
of
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
#23
τίνων
G5101
What
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
#24
λαμβάνουσιν
G2983
do
while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))
#25
τέλη
G5056
custom
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
ἢ
G2228
or
disjunctive, or; comparative, than
#27
κῆνσον
G2778
tribute
properly, an enrollment ("census"), i.e., (by implication) a tax
#28
ἀπὸ
G575
of
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
#29
τῶν
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#30
υἱῶν
G5207
children
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
#31
αὐτῶν
G846
him
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
ἢ
G2228
or
disjunctive, or; comparative, than
#33
ἀπὸ
G575
of
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
#34
τῶν
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#35
ἀλλοτρίων
G245
strangers
another's, i.e., not one's own; by extension foreign, not akin, hostile

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of Jewish biographical literature presenting Jesus as the fulfillment of Scripture shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Matthew Understanding a worldview expecting divine intervention through a promised Messiah helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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