In the context of the Bible, a tax-farmer refers to an individual who was responsible for collecting taxes on behalf of the Roman government or local authorities. This role is often associated with the term "publican" or "tax collector" in the New Testament. Tax-farmers were typically Jews who worked for the occupying Roman authorities, and their position was often viewed with disdain by their fellow countrymen due to the nature of their work and the perception of collaboration with the oppressors.

Historical Context

During the time of Jesus, the Roman Empire had established a system of tax collection that involved contracting out the responsibility to local individuals or groups. These tax-farmers would pay a fixed sum to the Roman authorities for the right to collect taxes in a particular area. In return, they were allowed to keep any amount they collected above the agreed sum. This system often led to corruption and extortion, as tax-farmers sought to maximize their profits by overcharging the populace.

Biblical References

Tax-farmers are frequently mentioned in the New Testament, where they are often depicted as sinners and social outcasts. Despite their negative reputation, Jesus' interactions with tax-farmers highlight His message of redemption and grace.

1. Matthew 9:9-13 : "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. While Jesus was dining 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?' On hearing this, Jesus said, 'It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.'"

This passage illustrates Jesus' willingness to associate with tax-farmers, demonstrating His mission to reach out to those marginalized by society. Matthew, also known as Levi, was a tax-farmer who became one of Jesus' twelve apostles, signifying the transformative power of Christ's call.

2. Luke 19:1-10 : The account of Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector, further exemplifies the theme of redemption. "Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. And there was a man named Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector, who was very wealthy. He was trying to see who Jesus was, but could not see over the crowd because he was small in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see Him, since Jesus was about to pass that way. When Jesus came to that place, He looked up and said, 'Zacchaeus, hurry down, for I must stay at your house today.' So Zacchaeus hurried down and welcomed Him joyfully. And all who saw this began to grumble, saying, 'He has gone to be the guest of a sinful man!' 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.' Jesus said to him, '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.'"

Zacchaeus' encounter with Jesus led to his repentance and restitution, highlighting the possibility of forgiveness and change for even the most despised individuals.

Cultural and Religious Implications

The role of tax-farmers in Jewish society was fraught with tension. They were often seen as traitors to their people, collaborating with the Roman occupiers and exploiting their fellow Jews. The Pharisees and other religious leaders frequently criticized Jesus for His association with tax-farmers, as seen in the passages above. However, Jesus' interactions with them underscore His message of love, mercy, and the inclusivity of God's kingdom.

Tax-farmers serve as a powerful symbol of the transformative power of Jesus' ministry. Their accounts remind believers of the importance of grace, repentance, and the potential for redemption, regardless of one's past actions or societal status.5057. telones -- tax collector
... tax collector. From telos and oneomai; a tax-farmer, ie Collector of public revenue --
publican. see GREEK telos. see GREEK oneomai. (telonai) -- 8 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5057.htm - 7k

The Servants and the Pounds.
... The Lord's interview with that interesting and earnest tax-farmer in the neighbourhood
of Jericho rather constituted an episodical interruption to the ...
/.../arnot/the parables of our lord/xxx the servants and the.htm

Tax-farmer (7 Occurrences)
Tax-farmer. Taxes, Tax-farmer. Tax-farmers . Multi-Version Concordance
Tax-farmer (7 Occurrences). Matthew 10:3 Philip ...
/t/tax-farmer.htm - 8k

Taxes (19 Occurrences)
... Luke 5:27 And after these things he went out, and saw Levi, a tax-farmer, seated
at the place where taxes were taken, and said to him, Come after me. (BBE DBY). ...
/t/taxes.htm - 14k

Tax-farmers (14 Occurrences)
Tax-farmers. Tax-farmer, Tax-farmers. Tax-gatherer . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(BBE). Tax-farmer, Tax-farmers. Tax-gatherer . Reference Bible.
/t/tax-farmers.htm - 10k

Keeping (282 Occurrences)
... Luke 18:13 The tax-farmer, on the other hand, keeping far away, and not lifting
up even his eyes to heaven, made signs of grief and said, God, have mercy on me ...
/k/keeping.htm - 36k

Untrue (50 Occurrences)
... give you praise because I am not like other men, who take more than their right,
who are evil-doers, who are untrue to their wives, or even like this tax-farmer...
/u/untrue.htm - 22k

Lifting (157 Occurrences)
... Luke 18:13 The tax-farmer, on the other hand, keeping far away, and not lifting
up even his eyes to heaven, made signs of grief and said, God, have mercy on me ...
/l/lifting.htm - 36k

Wives (159 Occurrences)
... give you praise because I am not like other men, who take more than their right,
who are evil-doers, who are untrue to their wives, or even like this tax-farmer...
/w/wives.htm - 38k

Evildoers (46 Occurrences)
... give you praise because I am not like other men, who take more than their right,
who are evil-doers, who are untrue to their wives, or even like this tax-farmer...
/e/evildoers.htm - 18k

Evil-doers (122 Occurrences)
... give you praise because I am not like other men, who take more than their right,
who are evil-doers, who are untrue to their wives, or even like this tax-farmer...
/e/evil-doers.htm - 33k

Position (189 Occurrences)
... give you praise because I am not like other men, who take more than their right,
who are evil-doers, who are untrue to their wives, or even like this tax-farmer...
/p/position.htm - 37k

What is a publican in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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