In biblical times, the term "collector" often refers to individuals involved in the gathering of taxes or other forms of revenue. The role of a collector, particularly a tax collector, is frequently mentioned in the New Testament, where it carries significant social and religious implications.

Tax Collectors in the New Testament

Tax collectors, known as "publicans" in some translations, were often Jews employed by the Roman authorities to collect taxes from their fellow countrymen. This role made them unpopular among the Jewish people, as they were seen as collaborators with the occupying Roman forces. Additionally, tax collectors were notorious for their corrupt practices, often collecting more than what was required and keeping the excess for themselves. This reputation is reflected in the Gospel accounts, where tax collectors are frequently associated with "sinners."

One of the most notable tax collectors in the New Testament is Matthew, also known as Levi. Before becoming one of Jesus' twelve apostles, Matthew was a tax collector. His calling by Jesus 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" (Matthew 9:9). This event highlights the transformative power of Jesus' ministry, as He called individuals from all walks of life, including those despised by society.

Another significant encounter involving a tax collector is the account of Zacchaeus, found in the Gospel of Luke. Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector and was wealthy, likely due to the corrupt practices common in his profession. Despite his status, Zacchaeus sought to see Jesus and climbed a sycamore tree to catch a glimpse of Him. Jesus noticed him and said, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today" (Luke 19:5). This encounter led to Zacchaeus' repentance and restitution, as he declared, "Look, Lord, half of my possessions I give to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will repay it fourfold" (Luke 19:8).

Symbolism and Lessons

The figure of the tax collector in the New Testament serves as a powerful symbol of repentance and redemption. Jesus' interactions with tax collectors demonstrate His mission to seek and save the lost, regardless of their social standing or past sins. The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, found in Luke 18:9-14, further illustrates this theme. In the parable, the tax collector, standing at a distance, humbly prays, "God, have mercy on me, a sinner!" (Luke 18:13). Jesus commends the tax collector's humility and repentance, stating that he went home justified before God.

Cultural and Historical Context

Understanding the role of tax collectors in the cultural and historical context of the New Testament is crucial. The Roman taxation system was complex and burdensome, often leading to resentment among the Jewish populace. Tax collectors were seen as traitors to their people, and their association with Gentile rulers added to their stigma. Despite this, the New Testament narrative reveals that no one is beyond the reach of God's grace, as exemplified by the lives of Matthew and Zacchaeus.

In summary, the role of the collector, particularly the tax collector, in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing themes of sin, repentance, and redemption. Through the transformative encounters with Jesus, these individuals serve as enduring examples of the power of God's grace to change lives.1. (n.) One who collects things which are separate; esp., one who makes a business or practice of collecting works of art, objects in natural history, etc.; as, a collector of coins.

2. (n.) A compiler of books; one who collects scattered passages and puts them together in one book.

3. (n.) An officer appointed and commissioned to collect and receive customs, duties, taxes, or toll.

4. (n.) One authorized to collect debts.

5. (n.) A bachelor of arts in Oxford, formerly appointed to superintend some scholastic proceedings in Lent.

5057. telones -- tax collector
... tax collector. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: telones Phonetic
Spelling: (tel-o'-nace) Short Definition: a collector of taxes Definition: a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5057.htm - 7k

754. architelones -- a chief tax collector
... a chief tax collector. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: architelones
Phonetic Spelling: (ar-khee-tel-o'-nace) Short Definition: head of a custom ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/754.htm - 6k

2195. Zakchaios -- Zaccheus, a tax collector
... Zaccheus, a tax collector. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Zakchaios
Phonetic Spelling: (dzak-chah'-ee-yos) Short Definition: Zacchaeus ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2195.htm - 6k

5058. telonion -- tax office
... tax office. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: telonion Phonetic Spelling:
(tel-o'-nee-on) Short Definition: a tax-collector's office Definition: a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5058.htm - 6k

4233. praktor -- one who does or accomplishes
... officer. From a derivative of prasso; a practiser, ie (specially), an official
collector -- officer. see GREEK prasso. (praktori) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4233.htm - 7k

6953. Qoheleth -- "a collector (of sentences)," "a preacher," a ...
... "a collector (of sentences)," "a preacher," a son of David. Transliteration: Qoheleth
Phonetic Spelling: (ko-heh'-leth) Short Definition: Preacher. ...
/hebrew/6953.htm - 6k

623. Asaph -- "gatherer," the name of several Israelites
... NASB Word Usage Asaph (34). Asaph. From 'acaph; collector; Asaph, the name of three
Israelites, and of the family of the first -- Asaph. see HEBREW 'acaph. ...
/hebrew/623.htm - 6k

Who is the Greatest?
... Soon after they reached the town, the collector of the temple revenue came to Peter
with the question, "Doth not your Master pay tribute?" This tribute was not ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 48 who is the.htm

Starting a Newspaper. An Experience of Mr. John Jones.
... These bills, except those for the country, I placed in the hands of a collector,
and told him to get me in the money as quickly as possible. ...
/.../arthur/words for the wise/starting a newspaper an experience.htm

Translator's Preface
... taken down by single hearers, which in those times of rare and difficult communication,
were never brought under the notice of the Strasburg Collector, but, as ...
/.../the history and life of the reverend doctor john tauler/translators preface.htm

Glad Givers and Faithful Workers
... and Levites to collect locally the statutory half-shekel, as well as other
contributions mentioned in 2 Kings 12.There we learn that each collector was to ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/glad givers and faithful workers.htm

Jacob Jones; Or, the Man who Couldn't Get Along in the World.
... ordering some clothes. While there, a man having the appearance of a collector
came in, and drew the tailor aside. The conversation ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arthur/words for the wise/jacob jones or the man.htm

Wanted, Volunteers
... In the Tropics the dead must be buried quickly. The Bishop appeals to the Collector
(Representative of Government here). The Collector gives an order. ...
/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter xvi wanted volunteers.htm

The Hebrew Prophecies.
... If it was made by Nehemiah (and there is nothing to discredit the statement of the
author of 2 Maccabees that he was the collector), then it was not compiled ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter v the hebrew prophecies.htm

The Singer of Pietism
... He himself was a noted hymnwriter and hymn collector, who, shortly after Brorson
became his assistant, published a German hymnal, containing no less than 1157 ...
/.../aaberg/hymns and hymnwriters of denmark/chapter nine the singer of.htm

The Gospel According to St. Matthew
... St. Matthew is one of the least known of the Apostles. He was first called Levi
the son of Alphaeus, and was a "publican" or collector of customs at Capernaum. ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter iii the gospel according.htm

Letter xiii. Christian Activity.
... You can act as a visitor and collector, both to ascertain and supply those families
which are destitute of the word of life, and to obtain the means of ...
/.../letter xiii christian activity.htm

Collector (8 Occurrences)
... things which are separate; esp., one who makes a business or practice of collecting
works of art, objects in natural history, etc.; as, a collector of coins. ...
/c/collector.htm - 9k

Collector's (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Collector's (2 Occurrences). Matthew 9:9 As Jesus
passed by from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting ...
/c/collector's.htm - 7k

Collectors (16 Occurrences)

/c/collectors.htm - 11k

Pharisee (14 Occurrences)
... Luke 18:10 "Two men went up into the temple to pray; one was a Pharisee, and the
other was a tax collector. (WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/p/pharisee.htm - 11k

Agur (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Gatherer; the collector, mentioned as author of the sayings
in Proverbs 30. Nothing is known of him beyond what is there recorded. ...
/a/agur.htm - 7k

Tax (43 Occurrences)
... The story of Joseph, the Jewis tax-collector (Ant., XII, iv, 1-5), who was for 23
years farmer-general of taxes for Palestine under Ptolemy Euergetes, and the ...
/t/tax.htm - 47k

Named (428 Occurrences)
... Luke 5:27 After these things he went out, and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting
at the tax office, and said to him, "Follow me!" (WEB KJV ASV WBS NAS RSV). ...
/n/named.htm - 33k

O (1414 Occurrences)
... and prayed to himself like this:'God, I thank you, that I am not like the rest of
men, extortioners, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. ...
/o/o.htm - 37k

Taxing (3 Occurrences)
... The story of Joseph, the Jewis tax-collector (Ant., XII, iv, 1-5), who was for 23
years farmer-general of taxes for Palestine under Ptolemy Euergetes, and the ...
/t/taxing.htm - 35k

Zacchaeus (3 Occurrences)
... Zacchaeus (3 Occurrences). Luke 19:2 There was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief
tax collector, and he was rich. (WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY NIV). ...
/z/zacchaeus.htm - 10k

What is the meaning of the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector? | GotQuestions.org

Why does the Bible speak so negatively about tax collectors? | GotQuestions.org

If Jesus condemned the Pharisees for praying out loud, should we pray aloud? | GotQuestions.org

Collector: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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