Matthew 17 26

Matthew 17:26 kjv

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

Matthew 17:26 nkjv

Peter said to Him, "From strangers." Jesus said to him, "Then the sons are free.

Matthew 17:26 niv

"From others," Peter answered. "Then the children are exempt," Jesus said to him.

Matthew 17:26 esv

And when he said, "From others," Jesus said to him, "Then the sons are free.

Matthew 17:26 nlt

"They tax the people they have conquered," Peter replied. "Well, then," Jesus said, "the citizens are free!

Matthew 17 verses

Matthew 17 26 Meaning

Matthew 17:26 succinctly articulates a profound truth regarding Jesus' identity as the Son of God and, by extension, the spiritual status of His followers. By referencing the common practice of earthly kings taxing outsiders but exempting their own sons, Jesus reveals that He, as the true Son of the ultimate King (God), is inherently exempt from the Temple tax. This also extends to His disciples who are united with Him, implying their spiritual freedom and unique relationship with the Divine Ruler of all creation and the true Owner of the Temple.

Matthew 17 26 Context

This verse occurs immediately following a question posed to Peter about whether Jesus pays the didrachma (Temple tax) in Matthew 17:24. The Temple tax was an annual levy on every Jewish male aged twenty and above, prescribed in the Old Testament for the maintenance of the Tabernacle/Temple. Peter's answer to the tax collectors likely affirmed that Jesus did, out of expediency. When Jesus questions Peter about whom earthly kings collect taxes from—their own sons or strangers—Peter correctly answers "strangers." This setup allows Jesus to use the earthly analogy to declare a profound spiritual truth. This interaction directly follows the Transfiguration of Jesus (Mat 17:1-8), which visibly demonstrated His divine Sonship and glory, and the healing of a demon-possessed boy (Mat 17:14-20), highlighting the power associated with faith. The discussion about the Temple tax is thus placed within a broader narrative emphasizing Jesus' unique authority and identity as the Son of God.

Matthew 17 26 Word analysis

• Peter: (Greek: Petros) One of Jesus' principal disciples. His direct interaction sets the stage for Jesus' teaching on sonship.
• saith unto him: (Greek: legei autō) Indicates a direct, responsive verbal exchange between Jesus and Peter.
• Of strangers: (Greek: Apo tōn allotriōn - ἀπὸ τῶν ἀλλοτρίων).
  • Allotrios means "belonging to another," "foreign," "alien," or "not one's own."
  • Significance: Peter accurately describes the secular practice of kings levying tribute from those not considered part of their immediate household or citizenry, typically subjects of conquered lands or foreign residents. This word sets up the crucial distinction between insiders and outsiders that Jesus will build upon.
• Jesus: (Greek: Iēsous) The divine Son of God, the central figure whose unique identity is the basis of this teaching.
• saith unto him: (Greek: legei autō) Reaffirms the ongoing dialogue.
• Then: (Greek: Ara ge - ἄρα γε).
  • Ara denotes a logical inference, meaning "therefore," "consequently." Ge adds emphasis, "indeed" or "certainly."
  • Significance: This conjunction indicates that Jesus is drawing a firm, undeniable conclusion based on Peter's established premise. It points to an inescapable spiritual truth derived from the earthly illustration.
• are the children: (Greek: eisin hoi huioi - εἰσιν οἱ υἱοί).
  • Eisin means "they are."
  • Huioi (plural of huios) means "sons" or "children."
  • Significance: In the immediate context of the analogy, this refers to the sons of an earthly king who are exempt from taxes levied on others. More profoundly, in Jesus' statement, "the children" refers first and foremost to Jesus Himself as the unique Son of God. By extension, it also includes His followers who, through faith, become adopted as "children of God" (Jn 1:12; Rom 8:14; Gal 4:6-7), thus sharing in His divine sonship.
• free: (Greek: eleutheroi - ἐλεύθεροι).
  • Eleutheros means "free," "unrestricted," "exempt," or "not in bondage."
  • Significance: This signifies an exemption from the specific temple tax, as the King's Son (Jesus) has proprietary rights over the Temple. Beyond that, it denotes a deeper, spiritual freedom. It means freedom from external legalistic burdens (such as certain obligations under the Old Covenant Law for those outside sonship) and freedom from spiritual bondage for those who are "sons" within God's household. It encapsulates spiritual liberation found in belonging to God's family.

• "Peter saith unto him, Of strangers": This phrase reflects Peter's practical understanding of how earthly kingdoms function. He accurately grasps that those who are "strangers" (foreigners or non-members of the ruling household) are the ones subjected to taxation and tribute. This statement by Peter sets the critical foundation for Jesus' ensuing spiritual teaching.
• "Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free": This pivotal response by Jesus transitions the earthly analogy into a divine revelation. By "children," Jesus primarily refers to Himself as the Son of God, indicating that the Lord of the Temple cannot be subject to a tax for His own house. Moreover, by incorporating the disciples into this category of "children," Jesus implies that those who are spiritually adopted into God's family through Him also partake in a form of freedom or exemption from the demands and obligations that would apply to "strangers." This freedom points towards the greater liberty found in belonging to the New Covenant as God's redeemed family.

Matthew 17 26 Bonus section

The dialogue concerning the Temple tax, culminating in Matthew 17:26, implicitly critiques a superficial understanding of God's dwelling and ownership. By declaring Himself and His followers "free," Jesus subtly distinguishes His identity from merely another Jewish rabbi subject to the Law, positioning Himself as the divine authority of whom the Temple is an extension. This foreshadows the New Covenant's shift from a physical temple to Jesus' own body (Jn 2:19-21) and then to the body of believers (1 Cor 6:19), implying that God's presence no longer solely resides in a structure requiring financial support in the same way, but in Christ and His people. The "freedom" discussed here is thus not an anarchic liberation from all law, but a release from external burdens that conflict with an intimate, filial relationship with God, allowing for worship and service that flows from inner truth and grace.

Matthew 17 26 Commentary

Matthew 17:26 is a succinct declaration of Jesus' inherent sovereignty and divine sonship. Jesus accepts Peter's premise about earthly kings collecting taxes from strangers, not their own sons, and elevates it to a theological principle. If human kings exempt their direct heirs from tribute, how much more should Jesus, the Son of God, be exempt from supporting the Temple, which is His Father's house? This verse asserts Christ's unique relationship with God and His authority over the very institution (the Temple) that the tax supported. Furthermore, the declaration "then are the children free" extends this principle of freedom to believers. Through Christ, followers become "children of God," implying a privileged status that liberates them from burdensome legalistic obligations, signifying a transition from a spirit of bondage to one of adoption. Though Jesus proceeds to miraculously provide the tax to avoid causing offense (Mat 17:27), His initial statement firmly establishes His identity as the ultimate King's Son and highlights the spiritual freedom of His household in Christ.

• Practical usage:
  • Recognize your spiritual liberty in Christ: as a child of God, you are free from condemnation and rigid external rules imposed by man, though still called to righteous living in love.
  • Prioritize relational truths with God over performance-based obligations, understanding that true worship springs from a position of sonship, not servitude.
  • Emulate Christ's wisdom: While standing on divine truth, sometimes choosing to yield a right for the sake of avoiding offense to those who misunderstand (as Jesus paid the tax), demonstrating grace and discernment.