Matthew 17:26 Meaning and Explanation
“Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Peter says kings tax strangers; Jesus concludes that the children are therefore free.
What Does Matthew 17:26 Mean?
Peter gives the obvious answer -- kings tax strangers, not their own. Jesus draws the conclusion: then are the children free. As the Son in His Father's house, He stands under no obligation to the temple tax; the claim does not bind Him as it binds others.
Here Jesus quietly declares His sonship and His freedom. The temple was His Father's, and He was no outsider to it. Yet the freedom He claims He will, in the next verse, willingly lay aside. The truth of who He is comes first; what He chooses to do with that freedom reveals the gentleness of His heart.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 17:26
What does Matthew 17:26 mean?
Peter says kings tax strangers; Jesus concludes that the children are therefore free.