17:24-26 What does Jesus mean here by "...then are the children free"?

17:24-26 What does Jesus mean here by “...then are the children free”?

The word free here means exempt from an obligation.

So what Jesus is in effect saying is that as earthly kings do not tax their own sons, He, as God’s Son, should be exempt from the temple tax which was levied on behalf of God (cp Ex 30:12-13).

But to show His submission to ruling authority, Jesus paid the tax for Himself and Peter (cp Ro 13:1-7; Tit 3:1; 1Pe 2:13-17).

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