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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Tax-farmers</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/t/tax-farmers.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/matthew/5-46.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/t/tax-farmers.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Tax-farmers</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/t/tax-farmer.htm" title="Tax-farmer">◄</a> Tax-farmers <a href="/topical/t/tax-gatherer.htm" title="Tax-gatherer">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#cnc" title="Multiversion Concordance">Concordance</a> • <a href="#thes" title="Bible Thesaurus">Thesaurus</a> • <a href="#lib" title="Library">Library</a> • <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div>Tax-farmers, often referred to as "publicans" in some Bible translations, were individuals responsible for collecting taxes on behalf of the Roman government during the time of the New Testament. This system of tax collection was prevalent in the Roman Empire, where the right to collect taxes was often auctioned off to the highest bidder. These individuals, or groups, would pay a fixed sum to the Roman authorities for the privilege of collecting taxes in a particular region and would then seek to recoup their investment by collecting taxes from the local populace, often with a significant markup for personal profit.<br><br><b>Biblical Context and Perception</b><br><br>In the New Testament, tax-farmers are frequently mentioned, and they are often depicted in a negative light due to their association with corruption and extortion. The Jewish people, under Roman occupation, viewed tax-farmers as traitors and sinners, as they were seen as collaborators with the oppressive Roman regime. This disdain is evident in the Gospels, where tax-farmers are often grouped with "sinners" and other marginalized individuals.<br><br>For instance, in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus is criticized for associating with tax-farmers: "When the Pharisees saw this, they asked His disciples, 'Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?'" (<a href="/matthew/9-11.htm">Matthew 9:11</a>). This passage highlights the societal contempt for tax-farmers and the radical nature of Jesus' ministry, which reached out to those considered outcasts.<br><br><b>Notable Tax-farmers in the New Testament</b><br><br>Two prominent tax-farmers are mentioned in the New Testament: Matthew and Zacchaeus.<br><br>1. <b>Matthew (Levi):</b> Matthew, also known as Levi, was a tax-farmer called by Jesus to be one of His twelve apostles. His calling is recorded in the Gospel of Matthew: "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" (<a href="/matthew/9-9.htm">Matthew 9:9</a>). Matthew's transformation from a tax-farmer to a disciple of Christ exemplifies the power of Jesus' message of redemption and grace.<br><br>2. <b>Zacchaeus:</b> Zacchaeus was a chief tax-farmer in Jericho, known for his wealth and short stature. His encounter with Jesus is a significant narrative illustrating repentance and restitution. As recorded in the Gospel of Luke, Zacchaeus climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus, who then invited Himself to Zacchaeus' house. This encounter led to Zacchaeus' repentance: "But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, 'Look, Lord! Half of my possessions I give to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will repay it fourfold'" (<a href="/luke/19-8.htm">Luke 19:8</a>). Jesus' response, "Today salvation has come to this house" (<a href="/luke/19-9.htm">Luke 19:9</a>), underscores the theme of salvation available to all, regardless of past sins.<br><br><b>Theological Implications</b><br><br>The inclusion of tax-farmers in the narrative of the Gospels serves as a powerful testament to the inclusive nature of Jesus' ministry. It challenges societal norms and prejudices, emphasizing that God's grace is available to all, even those deemed unworthy by societal standards. The transformation of individuals like Matthew and Zacchaeus highlights the potential for redemption and the call to a life of integrity and service.<br><br>Tax-farmers, therefore, serve as a reminder of the transformative power of Christ's love and the call to extend grace and forgiveness to all, regardless of their past.<a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><p><a href="/library/edersheim/sketches_of_jewish_social_life/chapter_4_travelling_in_palestineroads.htm"><span class="l">Travelling in Palestine --Roads, Inns, Hospitality, Custom-House <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> domination, galling though it was, had probably not so much to do with the bitter<br> hatred of the Rabbinists towards the class of <b>tax</b>-<b>farmers</b> (Moches) and tax <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../sketches of jewish social life/chapter 4 travelling in palestineroads.htm</font><p><a href="/library/rauschenbusch/the_social_principles_of_jesus/chapter_viii_private_property_and.htm"><span class="l">Private Property and the Common Good</span></a> <br><b>...</b> With powerful individuals, like hired soldiers and Roman <b>tax</b>-<b>farmers</b>, he insisted<br> that they must quit using their physical force and legal power as a cinch to <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../the social principles of jesus/chapter viii private property and.htm</font><p><a href="/library/arnot/the_parables_of_our_lord/xxix_the_pharisee_and_the.htm"><span class="l">The Pharisee and the Publican.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> The contempt in which the <b>tax</b>-<b>farmers</b> were held by the stricter Jews shines out<br> in every page of the Gospel, and is well understood by the readers of the <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../arnot/the parables of our lord/xxix the pharisee and the.htm</font><a name="thes" id="thes"></a><div class="vheading2">Thesaurus</div><a href="/topical/t/tax-farmers.htm"><span class="l"><b>Tax</b>-<b>farmers</b> (14 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>Tax</b>-<b>farmers</b>. Tax-farmer, <b>Tax</b>-<b>farmers</b>. Tax-gatherer . Multi-Version<br> Concordance <b>Tax</b>-<b>farmers</b> (14 Occurrences). Matthew <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/t/tax-farmers.htm - 10k</font><p><a href="/topical/l/lover.htm"><span class="l">Lover (55 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Lover (55 Occurrences). Matthew 11:19 The Son of man has come feasting, and they<br> say, See, a lover of food and wine, a friend of <b>tax</b>-<b>farmers</b> and sinners! <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/l/lover.htm - 24k</font><p><a href="/topical/l/loose.htm"><span class="l">Loose (219 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> They say, The first. Jesus said to them, Truly I say to you, that <b>tax</b>-<b>farmers</b> and<br> loose women are going into the kingdom of God before you. (BBE). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/l/loose.htm - 38k</font><p><a href="/topical/w/women.htm"><span class="l">Women (328 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> They say, The first. Jesus said to them, Truly I say to you, that <b>tax</b>-<b>farmers</b> and<br> loose women are going into the kingdom of God before you. (BBE). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/w/women.htm - 39k</font><p><a href="/topical/f/feasting.htm"><span class="l">Feasting (39 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Feasting (39 Occurrences). Matthew 11:19 The Son of man has come feasting, and they<br> say, See, a lover of food and wine, a friend of <b>tax</b>-<b>farmers</b> and sinners! <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/f/feasting.htm - 19k</font><p><a href="/topical/t/taking.htm"><span class="l">Taking (445 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Matthew 9:10 And it came about, when he was in the house taking food, that a number<br> of <b>tax</b>-<b>farmers</b> and sinners came and took their places with Jesus and his <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/t/taking.htm - 35k</font><p><a href="/topical/t/tax-gatherer.htm"><span class="l">Tax-gatherer (7 Occurrences)</span></a><br>Tax-gatherer. <b>Tax</b>-<b>farmers</b>, Tax-gatherer. Tax-gatherers . Multi-Version Concordance <b>...</b><br> (DBY YLT). <b>Tax</b>-<b>farmers</b>, Tax-gatherer. Tax-gatherers . Reference Bible <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/t/tax-gatherer.htm - 8k</font><p><a href="/topical/t/tax-farmer.htm"><span class="l">Tax-farmer (7 Occurrences)</span></a><br>Tax-farmer. Taxes, Tax-farmer. <b>Tax</b>-<b>farmers</b> . Multi-Version Concordance<br> Tax-farmer (7 Occurrences). <b>...</b> Taxes, Tax-farmer. <b>Tax</b>-<b>farmers</b> . Reference Bible. <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/t/tax-farmer.htm - 8k</font><p><a href="/topical/s/seated.htm"><span class="l">Seated (252 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Mark 2:15 And it came about that he was seated at meat in his house, and a number<br> of <b>tax</b>-<b>farmers</b> and sinners were at table with Jesus and his disciples: for <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/s/seated.htm - 35k</font><p><a href="/topical/j/judged.htm"><span class="l">Judged (201 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Matthew 11:19 The Son of man has come feasting, and they say, See, a lover<br> of food and wine, a friend of <b>tax</b>-<b>farmers</b> and sinners! <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/j/judged.htm - 35k</font><p><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/parable-wheat-tares.html">What is the Parable of the Wheat and the Tares? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/parable-vineyard.html">What is the meaning of the Parable of the Vineyard? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-tax-collectors.html">Why does the Bible speak so negatively about tax collectors? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="/concordance/">Bible Concordance</a> • <a href="/dictionary/">Bible Dictionary</a> • <a href="/encyclopedia/">Bible Encyclopedia</a> • <a href="/topical/">Topical Bible</a> • <a href="/thesaurus/">Bible Thesuarus</a></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="cnc" id="cnc"></a><div class="vheading2">Concordance</div><span class="encheading">Tax-farmers (14 Occurrences)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/matthew/5-46.htm">Matthew 5:46</a></span><br />For if you have love for those who have love for you, what credit is it to you? do not the <span class="boldtext">tax-farmers</span> the same?<br /><span class="source">(BBE)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/matthew/9-10.htm">Matthew 9:10</a></span><br />And it came about, when he was in the house taking food, that a number of <span class="boldtext">tax-farmers</span> and sinners came and took their places with Jesus and his disciples.<br /><span class="source">(BBE)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/matthew/9-11.htm">Matthew 9:11</a></span><br />And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to his disciples, Why does your Master take food with <span class="boldtext">tax-farmers</span> and sinners?<br /><span class="source">(BBE)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/matthew/11-19.htm">Matthew 11:19</a></span><br />The Son of man has come feasting, and they say, See, a lover of food and wine, a friend of <span class="boldtext">tax-farmers</span> and sinners! And wisdom is judged to be right by her works.<br /><span class="source">(BBE)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/matthew/21-31.htm">Matthew 21:31</a></span><br />Which of the two did his father's pleasure? They say, The first. Jesus said to them, Truly I say to you, that <span class="boldtext">tax-farmers</span> and loose women are going into the kingdom of God before you.<br /><span class="source">(BBE)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/matthew/21-32.htm">Matthew 21:32</a></span><br />For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you had no faith in him, but the <span class="boldtext">tax-farmers</span> and the loose women had faith in him: and you, when you saw it, did not even have regret for your sins, so as to have faith in him.<br /><span class="source">(BBE)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/mark/2-15.htm">Mark 2:15</a></span><br />And it came about that he was seated at meat in his house, and a number of <span class="boldtext">tax-farmers</span> and sinners were at table with Jesus and his disciples: for there were a great number of them, and they came after him.<br /><span class="source">(BBE)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/mark/2-16.htm">Mark 2:16</a></span><br />And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was taking food with the <span class="boldtext">tax-farmers</span> and sinners, said to his disciples, Why does he take food and drink with such men?<br /><span class="source">(BBE)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/luke/3-12.htm">Luke 3:12</a></span><br />Then <span class="boldtext">tax-farmers</span> came to him for baptism and said to him, Master, what have we to do?<br /><span class="source">(BBE)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/luke/5-29.htm">Luke 5:29</a></span><br />And Levi made a great feast for him in his house: and a great number of <span class="boldtext">tax-farmers</span> and others were seated at table with them. <br /><span class="source">(BBE)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/luke/5-30.htm">Luke 5:30</a></span><br />And the Pharisees and their scribes made protests against his disciples, saying, Why do you take food and drink with <span class="boldtext">tax-farmers</span> and sinners?<br /><span class="source">(BBE)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/luke/7-29.htm">Luke 7:29</a></span><br />(And all the people, and the <span class="boldtext">tax-farmers</span>, to whom John had given baptism, when they had knowledge of these things, gave glory to God.<br /><span class="source">(BBE)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/luke/7-34.htm">Luke 7:34</a></span><br />The Son of man came feasting, and you say, Here is a lover of food and wine, a friend of <span class="boldtext">tax-farmers</span> and sinners.<br /><span class="source">(BBE)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/luke/15-1.htm">Luke 15:1</a></span><br />Now all the <span class="boldtext">tax-farmers</span> and sinners came near to give ear to him. <br /><span class="source">(BBE)</span><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/t/tax-farmers.htm">Tax-farmers</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/m/matthew.htm">Matthew (5 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/tax-gatherers.htm">Tax-gatherers (16 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/tax-farmers.htm">Tax-farmers (14 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/z/zacchae'us.htm">Zacchae'us (3 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/n/noticed.htm">Noticed (19 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/follows.htm">Follows (65 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/tax-office.htm">Tax-office (3 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/toll.htm">Toll (8 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/thief.htm">Thief (41 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/resemble.htm">Resemble (15 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/regard.htm">Regard (230 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/rapacious.htm">Rapacious (3 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/reconciled.htm">Reconciled (11 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/erect.htm">Erect (17 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/praying.htm">Praying (71 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/propitious.htm">Propitious (12 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/beating.htm">Beating (31 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/barn.htm">Barn (6 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/cheat.htm">Cheat (5 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/surnamed.htm">Surnamed (15 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/smiting.htm">Smiting (76 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/appeal.htm">Appeal (30 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/standing.htm">Standing (334 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/stood.htm">Stood (491 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/compassion.htm">Compassion (145 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/buying.htm">Buying (12 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/k/kept.htm">Kept (891 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/n/nations.htm">Nations (683 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/taxing.htm">Taxing (3 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/tax.htm">Tax (43 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/sacrifice.htm">Sacrifice (300 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/sodomite.htm">Sodomite (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/m/messenger.htm">Messenger (235 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/t/tax-farmer.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Tax-farmer"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Tax-farmer" /></a></div><div id="right"><a 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