Matthew Chapter 17 · Verse 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?
Original Language Analysis
λέγων,
He saith
G3004
λέγων,
He saith
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
1 of 35
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
3 of 35
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
6 of 35
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οἰκίαν
the house
G3614
οἰκίαν
the house
Strong's:
G3614
Word #:
8 of 35
properly, residence (abstractly), but usually (concretely) an abode (literally or figuratively); by implication, a family (especially domestics)
αὐτῶν
him
G846
αὐτῶν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
10 of 35
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
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
12 of 35
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
λέγων,
He saith
G3004
λέγων,
He saith
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
13 of 35
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
τίνων
What
G5101
τίνων
What
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
14 of 35
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
δοκεῖ
thinkest
G1380
δοκεῖ
thinkest
Strong's:
G1380
Word #:
16 of 35
compare the base of g1166) of the same meaning; to think; by implication, to seem (truthfully or uncertainly)
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
βασιλεῖς
the kings
G935
βασιλεῖς
the kings
Strong's:
G935
Word #:
19 of 35
a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γῆς
of the earth
G1093
γῆς
of the earth
Strong's:
G1093
Word #:
21 of 35
soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)
ἀπὸ
of
G575
ἀπὸ
of
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
22 of 35
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
τίνων
What
G5101
τίνων
What
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
23 of 35
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
τέλη
custom
G5056
τέλη
custom
Strong's:
G5056
Word #:
25 of 35
properly, the point aimed at as a limit, i.e., (by implication) the conclusion of an act or state (termination (literally, figuratively or indefinitel
κῆνσον
tribute
G2778
κῆνσον
tribute
Strong's:
G2778
Word #:
27 of 35
properly, an enrollment ("census"), i.e., (by implication) a tax
ἀπὸ
of
G575
ἀπὸ
of
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
28 of 35
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
29 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱῶν
children
G5207
υἱῶν
children
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
30 of 35
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
αὐτῶν
him
G846
αὐτῶν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
31 of 35
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
ἀπὸ
of
G575
ἀπὸ
of
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
33 of 35
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
Cross References
Matthew 22:21They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.Matthew 22:19Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.Matthew 22:17Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?1 Samuel 17:25And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that is come up? surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, that the man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father's house free in Israel.
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus's omniscience (knowing Peter's conversation) encourage you that He knows your circumstances before you pray?
- What does Jesus's Socratic teaching method reveal about effective discipleship—asking questions rather than merely lecturing?
Analysis & 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.