Matthew 17:25 Commentary and Bible Study

On returning to the house (Peter’s own house or his rented house) where Christ had remained, the answer he has given is still resounding in his ears. Christ who reads the disciples’ hearts also knows what is on Peter’s mind without being informed. ‘Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon?’ Christ prevented or forestalled him, suggesting that Peter was about to make the payment or to put the matter in hand. But this is something important, for there is a principle here which Peter needs to learn, and which has caused his discomfort. The principle must be raised. He has been right to defend his Lord, for certainly Christ who is without sin cannot do anything that is against the law, and yet his answer to the collectors was lacking in knowledge, and if he had known more, he would not have been discomforted by the question. Christ has allowed the providence to take place that caused Peter to be questioned when he was on his own and without Christ to answer for him. His discomfort will impress upon him more forcefully the lesson Christ is about to teach him. What do you think, Simon? says the Lord. When kings levy taxes on the nation, do they tax their own children, or only those outside their family? Similarly, when a foreign power conquers another nation, do they send money in from their own reserves or do they raise taxes from that subjugated people? The situation is analogous. Obviously kings tax others, not their own children. Obviously they do not finance a subjugated nation at their own expense. Christ is drawing attention to his own Messianic identity. The temple was for the worship of God. He was God. Would it be right for the Lord to pay the tribute, when the temple was for him? Indeed he was the temple!