Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5200 Human civilisation  »  5576 tax collectors

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.

Honest tax collectors deserve respect

Romans 13:6-7

Temple taxes collected by Levites

See also 2 Chronicles 24:6,9

Temple tax paid by Jesus Christ

Matthew 17:24-26

Tax collectors often unpopular

In NT times

Luke 18:11 Tax collectors were widely suspected of corruption.

Tax collectors despised as collaborators with Rome

Jesus Christ recognises this popular contempt

See also Matthew 5:46; Matthew 18:17; Luke 18:11

Many tax collectors come to John

Luke 3:12-13 See also Matthew 21:31-32; Luke 7:29

Many tax collectors flock around Jesus Christ

Luke 15:1 See also Matthew 9:10 pp Mark 2:15 pp Luke 5:29

Jesus Christ criticised for eating with tax collectors

Luke 15:2 See also Matthew 9:11 pp Mark 2:16 pp Luke 5:30; Matthew 11:19 pp Luke 7:34; Luke 19:1-7

Jesus Christ defends his concern

Matthew 9:12-14 pp Mark 2:17 pp Luke 5:31 See also Luke 15:3-4 The parables in Luke chapter 15 are in part a defence of Jesus Christ's concern for tax collectors and sinners.

Tax collectors converted

In the parable

Luke 18:13-14

Matthew Levi

Matthew 9:9 pp Mark 2:13-14 pp Luke 5:27-28

Zacchaeus

See also Luke 19:1-9

See also

2048  Christ, love of
2545  Christ, opposition to
4263  Rome
5098  John the Baptist
5577  taxation
5691  friends, good
6040  sinners
6130  corruption
6626  conversion
7903  baptism
7912  collections