Lexical Summary kensos: Tax, Tribute Original Word: κῆνσος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance tribute, poll taxOf Latin origin; properly, an enrollment ("census"), i.e. (by implication) a tax -- tribute. HELPS Word-studies 2778 kḗnsos – poll-tax; tribute-money; "literally, 'the current coin of tribute,' which was not paid in Jewish, but rather in Roman money" (WS, 71). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2778: κῆνσοςκῆνσος, κήνσου, ὁ, the Latin wordcensus (among the Romans, denoting a register and valuation of property in accordance with which taxes were paid), in the N. T. (as in Cod. Just. 4, 47) the tax or tribute levied on individuals and to be paid yearly (Hesychius κῆνσος. εἶδος νομισματος, ἐπικεφάλαιον, our capitation or poll tax): Matthew 17:25; Matthew 22:17; Mark 12:14; τό νόμισμα τοῦ κήνσου, the coin with which the tax is paid, tribute money, Matthew 22:19. Topical Lexicon Definition and Scope Kensos refers to the Roman personal or head tax levied on each adult male in an occupied province. Unlike commercial duties (telos) or land revenues (phoros), the kensos was an annual reminder of subjection to Rome. As a census-based assessment it required registration, coinage minted by the emperor, and direct payment to the imperial fisc. Occurrences in the New Testament Matthew 17:25; Matthew 22:17; Matthew 22:19; and Mark 12:14 contain the term. In every instance the question of legitimacy—whether for a Galilean disciple or for the broader Jewish populace—comes to the forefront. Historical Setting of the Roman Poll Tax After Archelaus was deposed in A.D. 6, Judea became a Roman province, and the kensos was imposed. The tax sparked the revolt of Judas the Galilean (Acts 5:37). By the time of the Gospels the levy had been in place for roughly a generation, symbolizing foreign domination and spiritual tension over God’s exclusive kingship (Exodus 19:5-6). Jesus and the Poll Tax 1. Matthew 17:24-27: When collectors asked whether Jesus paid the didrachma (the temple half-shekel), He distinguished the earthly kensos from the sanctuary obligation. His question to Peter—“From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs and taxes—from their own sons or from others?”—implies that the true Son is free, yet He pays “so that we may not offend them,” affirming voluntary submission without conceding divine sonship. Theological Implications • Lordship: Caesar’s authority is derivative and temporal; God’s sovereignty is absolute. Practical Ministry Application Faithful disciples, whether under pagan, secular, or hostile regimes, model lawful conduct while maintaining spiritual allegiance. The kensos texts instruct churches on taxation, conscientious obedience, and engagement with governing authorities—issues repeatedly addressed in apostolic teaching (1 Peter 2:13-17; Titus 3:1). Related Biblical Themes • Census and Redemption Money: Exodus 30:11-16 links counting the people with atonement silver; the poll tax resurrects that tension under imperial rule. Historical Reception in the Church Early apologists (Justin Martyr, Origen) cited the poll-tax episode to defend Christian loyalty to magistrates. Reformers appealed to the same passages to delimit the power of the state while arguing against coercion in matters of faith. Summary Kensos crystallizes the New Testament dynamics of citizenship: submissive yet uncompromised, worldly yet pilgrim, salt and light amid imperial structures. It calls believers to honor rightful authority, bear God’s image faithfully, and invest ultimate allegiance in the King whose kingdom is not of this world. Forms and Transliterations κηνσον κήνσον κῆνσον κηνσου κήνσου kenson kênson kēnson kē̂nson kensou kēnsou kḗnsouLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 17:25 N-AMSGRK: τέλη ἢ κῆνσον ἀπὸ τῶν NAS: or poll-tax, from their sons KJV: custom or tribute? of their own INT: custom or tribute from the Matthew 22:17 N-AMS Matthew 22:19 N-GMS Mark 12:14 N-AMS Strong's Greek 2778 |
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