Matthew 17:25

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?

He saith, Yes - q.d., '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, [ proefthasen (G4399) auton (G846)] - '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, [ telee (G5056 ) - meaning custom on goods exported or imported] - or tribute? [ keenson (G2778), from the Latin word census] - 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, [ allotrioon (G245)]? 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.