Dictionary of Bible Themes Governments have a right to collect taxes, but those who collect them have often been unpopular, not least because they seem to have demanded more than they were entitled to. Jesus Christ welcomed such people, as he did other sinners, and many repented as a result of his affirming attitude. Romans 13:6-7Honest tax collectors deserve respect See also 2 Chronicles 24:6,9Temple taxes collected by Levites Matthew 17:24-26Temple tax paid by Jesus Christ Luke 18:11Tax collectors often unpopular In NT times Tax collectors were widely suspected of corruption. See also Tax collectors despised as collaborators with Rome Matthew 5:46; 18:17Jesus Christ recognises this popular contempt Luke 18:11Luke 3:12-13 Many tax collectors come to John See also Matthew 21:31-32Luke 7:29 Luke 15:1 Many tax collectors flock around Jesus Christ See also Matthew 9:10pp Mk 2:15 Luke 15:2pp Lk 5:29 See also Jesus Christ criticised for eating with tax collectors Matthew 9:11Matthew 11:19 pp Mk 2:16 pp Lk 5:30 Luke 19:1-7pp Lk 7:34 Matthew 9:12-14Jesus Christ defends his concern See also pp Mk 2:17 Luke 15:3-4pp Lk 5:31 The parables in Luke chapter 15 are in part a defence of Jesus Christ's concern for tax collectors and sinners. Luke 18:13-14Tax collectors converted In the parable Matthew 9:9Matthew Levi pp Mk 2:13-14 See also pp Lk 5:27-28 Luke 19:1-9Zacchaeus See also 2048 Christ, love of2545 Christ, opposition to 4263 Rome 5098 John the Baptist 5577 taxation 5691 friends, good 6040 sinners 6130 corruption 6626 conversion 7903 baptism 7915 confirmation |
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