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Selected Verse: Matthew 17:25 - King James

Verse	Translation	Text
Mt 17:25	King James	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?

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
He saith, yes--that is, "To be sure He does"; as if eager to remove even the suspicion of the contrary. If Peter knew--as surely he did--that there was at this time no money in the bag, this reply must be regarded as a great act of faith in his Master. And when he was come into the house--Peter's. Jesus prevented him--anticipated him; according to the old sense of the word "prevent." saying, What thinkest thou, Simon?--using his family name for familiarity. of whom do the kings of the earth take custom--meaning custom on goods exported or imported. or tribute--meaning the poll-tax, payable to the Romans by everyone whose name was in the census. This, therefore, it will be observed, was strictly a civil tax. of their own children, or of strangers--This cannot mean "foreigners," from whom sovereigns certainly do not raise taxes, but those who are not of their own family, that is, their subjects.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

He saith, yes--that is, "To be sure He does"; as if eager to remove even the suspicion of the contrary. If Peter knew--as surely he did--that there was at this time no money in the bag, this reply must be regarded as a great act of faith in his Master.

And when he was come into the house--Peter's.

Jesus prevented him--anticipated him; according to the old sense of the word "prevent."

saying, What thinkest thou, Simon?--using his family name for familiarity.

of whom do the kings of the earth take custom--meaning custom on goods exported or imported.

or tribute--meaning the poll-tax, payable to the Romans by everyone whose name was in the census. This, therefore, it will be observed, was strictly a civil tax.

of their own children, or of strangers--This cannot mean "foreigners," from whom sovereigns certainly do not raise taxes, but those who are not of their own family, that is, their subjects.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
Yes (ναί) Indicating that Jesus had paid the tax on former occasions. Prevented (προέφθασεν) Rev., rather awkwardly, but following Tynd., Spake first to him. Prevent, in its older sense, to anticipate, get before, was a correct translation. Compare Shakspeare: "So shall my anticipation prevent your discovery." Hamlet, ii., 1. Out of this grew the secondary meaning, to hinder. By getting before another, one hinders him from accomplishing his purpose. This meaning has supplanted the other. Wyc. renders came before him. The meaning is that Jesus did not wait for Peter to tell him of the demand of the collectors. He anticipated him in speaking about it. Custom or tribute (τέλη ἢ κῆνσον) Rev. gives toll for custom. Toll is duty upon goods; tribute, tax upon individuals. Κῆνσος tribute, is merely a transcription of the Latin census, which means, first, a registration with a view to taxation, and then the tax itself. Strangers (ἀλλοτρίων) Not foreigners, but others than those of their own families; their subjects. In other words, Does a king tax his own children or his subjects?

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]

Yes (ναί)

Indicating that Jesus had paid the tax on former occasions.

Prevented (προέφθασεν)

Rev., rather awkwardly, but following Tynd., Spake first to him. Prevent, in its older sense, to anticipate, get before, was a correct translation. Compare Shakspeare:

"So shall my anticipation prevent your discovery."

Hamlet, ii., 1.

Out of this grew the secondary meaning, to hinder. By getting before another, one hinders him from accomplishing his purpose. This meaning has supplanted the other. Wyc. renders came before him. The meaning is that Jesus did not wait for Peter to tell him of the demand of the collectors. He anticipated him in speaking about it.

Custom or tribute (τέλη ἢ κῆνσον)

Rev. gives toll for custom. Toll is duty upon goods; tribute, tax upon individuals. Κῆνσος tribute, is merely a transcription of the Latin census, which means, first, a registration with a view to taxation, and then the tax itself.

Strangers (ἀλλοτρίων)

Not foreigners, but others than those of their own families; their subjects. In other words, Does a king tax his own children or his subjects?

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
Jesus prevented him - Just when St. Peter was going to ask him for it. Of their own sons, or of strangers? - That is, such as are not of their own family.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]

Jesus prevented him - Just when St. Peter was going to ask him for it. Of their own sons, or of strangers? - That is, such as are not of their own family.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
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 levied on them by public authority; and though any of these should be found unjust, They rebel not, as their business is not to reform the politics of nations, but the morals of the world.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826

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 levied on them by public authority; and though any of these should be found unjust, They rebel not, as their business is not to reform the politics of nations, but the morals of the world.

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