Charles Ellicott Commentary Matthew 17:25

"He saith, Yea. And when he came into the house, Jesus spake first to him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? the kings of the earth, from whom do they receive toll or tribute? from their sons, or from strangers?" — Matthew 17:25 (ASV)

He says, Yes — Peter’s answer was ready enough. There was no need for him to inquire further. His Master would pay it now as He had paid it before (this is clearly implied), just as every devout Israelite would. Both the request for payment and Peter's answer suggest that our Lord was considered to be living in Peter's house. However, the answer was given without considering the changed circumstances. He had not yet learned to grasp the full meaning of the truth he himself had so recently confessed.

Jesus anticipated him — Literally, anticipated. The word is not used anywhere else in reference to our Lord’s teaching. Its significance is explained by what follows. Peter and the other disciples were about to come to Him with a very different kind of question (Matthew 18:1), one that arose from their mutual rivalries. Therefore, before that question could be asked, Jesus anticipated the eager disciple in order to lead him one step further into the mysteries of the kingdom.

Take custom or tribute — The first word refers to the duties on exported or imported goods—the octroi, in modern terms—levied on provisions as they were brought into or out of towns. The second, as stated above, refers to the poll tax paid into the Roman treasury, which followed the census or registration mentioned in Luke 2:2 and Acts 5:37. Both were probably farmed out to the capitalist publicani and collected by the “publicans” of the Gospels or other subordinate officers.

Of their own children, or of strangers? — The first word, "children," can hardly be understood as referring to a merely natural relationship. The “children of the kingdom” (Matthew 13:38) are not the king’s sons but his native-born, free subjects. The “strangers” were the foreigners—people of another race who acknowledged his sovereignty.