Topical Encyclopedia Publicans, in the context of the New Testament, were tax collectors employed by the Roman Empire to collect taxes from the Jewish populace. These individuals were often viewed with disdain by their fellow Jews, as they were seen as collaborators with the occupying Roman forces and were notorious for their corrupt practices, often collecting more than what was required to line their own pockets. The term "publican" is derived from the Latin word "publicanus," referring to a contractor or tax farmer.Matthew the Apostle Matthew, also known as Levi, was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ and is traditionally credited as the author of the Gospel of Matthew. Before his calling to discipleship, Matthew was a publican, a tax collector in Capernaum. His occupation placed him in a socially and religiously marginalized position among his fellow Jews. Despite this, Jesus called Matthew to follow Him, demonstrating the transformative power of grace and the inclusivity of the Gospel message. The account of Matthew's calling is recorded in the Gospel of Matthew 9:9 : "As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax booth. 'Follow Me,' He told him, and Matthew got up and followed Him." This simple yet profound encounter highlights the willingness of Jesus to reach out to those considered sinners and outcasts, offering them a place in His ministry and kingdom. Publicans in the New Testament Publicans are frequently mentioned in the New Testament, often in a negative light due to their reputation for greed and dishonesty. However, the Gospels also present instances where publicans are depicted in a more positive manner, illustrating the potential for repentance and redemption. For example, in the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector (Luke 18:9-14), Jesus contrasts the self-righteousness of the Pharisee with the humility and repentance of the tax collector, who is justified before God. Another notable publican in the New Testament is Zacchaeus, the chief tax collector of Jericho. His account is found in Luke 19:1-10, where he climbs a sycamore tree to see Jesus. Jesus calls Zacchaeus down and chooses to stay at his house, leading to Zacchaeus' repentance and restitution. This encounter further underscores the theme of redemption and the breaking down of social barriers through the love and acceptance of Christ. The Role of Publicans in Society Publicans played a crucial role in the economic structure of Roman-occupied territories, acting as intermediaries between the Roman authorities and the local populations. They were responsible for collecting various taxes, including customs duties, land taxes, and poll taxes. The system allowed for significant abuse, as publicans were often given a quota to meet and could keep any excess they collected. This led to widespread corruption and resentment among the people. Despite their negative reputation, the inclusion of publicans in the Gospel narratives serves as a powerful reminder of the reach of God's grace. The calling of Matthew and the transformation of individuals like Zacchaeus illustrate the possibility of redemption for all, regardless of past actions or societal status. Through these accounts, the New Testament emphasizes the themes of forgiveness, repentance, and the inclusive nature of the Gospel. Torrey's Topical Textbook Matthew 10:3Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Matthew the Publican Called from the Custom-House. --Familial ... Matthew's Feast. Discourse on Fasting. The Gospel of Matthew The Call of Matthew 2 Cor. xii. 11 The Call of Matthew. Be Ye Therefore Perfect, Even as Your Father which is in Heaven is ... The Call of Matthew - the Saviour's Welcome to Sinners - Rabbinic ... The Call and Feast of Levi Matthew. 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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