Matthew 17:25

He saith, Yes. Peter’s ready answer is considered by some to imply that Jesus had customarily paid the tax and that Peter knew of this fact. Actually, Peter may not have known whether Jesus had actually paid it. When asked whether Jesus paid the tribute, Peter immediately recognized the unusual and untimely (see on v. 24) nature of the inquiry and sensed the implied challenge to Jesus’ loyalty to the Temple, which, of course, failure to pay the tax would seemingly indicate. Peter and his fellow disciples were apparently still fully loyal in spirit to the Jewish leaders (see DA 398), and Peter’s first reaction was to avoid at all costs anything that would tend to worsen relations with them. But, as upon later occasions (see ch. 22:15-22), the scribes and Pharisees here sought to confront Jesus with a dilemma from which He could not escape. Levites, priests, and prophets were exempt (DA 433). To refuse to pay the tax would imply disloyalty to the Temple, but to pay it would imply that Jesus did not consider Himself a prophet, and thus exempt from it.

Into the house. Probably Peter’s own home (see on v. 4).

Prevented. Gr. prophthand, “to come before,” or “to anticipate.” The English word “prevent” used to have this meaning, but has now the added concept of preceding a person in order to place an obstacle in his way, in order to “prevent,” or “hinder,” him. A similar use of the word “prevent” occurs in 1 Thess. 4:15. In this instance “Jesus prevented” Peter by introducing the subject before he mentioned it.

Custom. Gr. telos, “a toll,” usually that levied on goods or possessions (see on Luke 3:12).

Strangers. That is, those not of the royal family — in other words, the subjects of the king.