Topical Encyclopedia Publicans, often referred to as tax collectors in the New Testament, were individuals employed by the Roman government to collect taxes from the Jewish populace. They were generally despised by their fellow Jews, as they were seen as collaborators with the occupying Roman forces and were often associated with corruption and extortion. Despite their social standing, many publicans were drawn to the teachings of Jesus Christ and attended His preaching, demonstrating the inclusive nature of His ministry.The Gospel accounts highlight the presence of publicans among the crowds that followed Jesus. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus is depicted as reaching out to these marginalized individuals. Matthew 9:10-11 states, "While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with Him and His disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked His disciples, 'Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?'" This passage illustrates the willingness of publicans to engage with Jesus and His message, despite the scorn they faced from religious leaders. One of the most notable publicans in the New Testament is Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector in Jericho. His encounter with Jesus is recorded in Luke 19:1-10. Zacchaeus, eager to see Jesus, climbed a sycamore tree due to his short stature. Jesus, noticing Zacchaeus, called him down and declared His intention to stay at his house. This interaction led to Zacchaeus' repentance and restitution, as he pledged to give half of his possessions to the poor and repay fourfold anyone he had defrauded. Jesus responded in Luke 19:9-10 , "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, found in Luke 18:9-14, further underscores the spiritual openness of publicans. In this parable, Jesus contrasts the self-righteous prayer of a Pharisee with the humble plea for mercy from a tax collector. The tax collector's humility and recognition of his need for God's grace is commended by Jesus, who concludes in Luke 18:14 , "I tell you, this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted." The presence of publicans among those who attended the preaching of Christ highlights the transformative power of His message. Despite their societal rejection, publicans found acceptance and hope in Jesus' teachings. His willingness to associate with them challenged the prevailing social norms and religious exclusivity of the time, emphasizing the universal reach of the Gospel. Torrey's Topical Textbook Mark 2:15And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him. Torrey's Topical Textbook Luke 15:1 Library John the Baptist's Person and Preaching. B. The Second Period. Chs. 5:1 to 6:11 The Necessity of Regeneration, Argued from the Immutable ... A Private Evening Prayer for the Lord's Day. The Preacher as a Patriot. Christ a Complete Saviour: Extracts No. X. The Wise and Foolish virgins A Defence of the Doctrine of Justification, by Faith in Jesus ... The Work of Jesus Christ as an Advocate, Resources What is a publican in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhy does the Bible speak so negatively about tax collectors? | GotQuestions.org Does salvation affect more than just the afterlife? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Publicans: Change Their Ways Because of the Preaching of John the Baptist Publicans: Chiefs of, Were Very Rich Publicans: Many of Attended the Preaching of Christ Publicans: Many of Believed the Preaching of John Publicans: Many of Embraced the Gospel Publicans: Many of Received John's Baptism Publicans: Matthew the Apostle Was of Publicans: Matthew, the Tax Collector of Capernaum, Becomes an Apostle Publicans: Often Guilty of Extortion Publicans: Often Kind to Their Friends Publicans: Suspected of Extortion Publicans: The Collectors of the Public Taxes Publicans: The Jews: Classed With the Most Infamous Characters Publicans: The Jews: Despised Our Lord for Associating With Publicans: Zacchaeus, Chief Among, Receives Jesus Into his House Related Terms |
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