Thematic Bible: The Publicans


Thematic Bible




For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you didn’t believe him. Tax collectors and prostitutes did believe him, but you, when you saw it, didn’t even change your minds then and believe him. Verse ConceptsPrejudiceRepentance, Importance OfUnbelief, As Response To GodWay, TheSkepticismBelieving ProphetsNot Believing PeoplePeople Changing Their MindsRepentancePeople Who Did RightRewards Of Ritual


When the Pharisees saw this, they asked His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” Verse ConceptsFaultsComplaintsStatusTax CollectorsPharisees Concerned About ChristFinding Fault With Jesustaxespharisees

While He was reclining at the table in Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were also guests with Jesus and His disciples, because there were many who were following Him. Verse ConceptsFollowing Jesus ChristGuestsHospitality, Examples OfTax CollectorsServing JesusReclining To EatReceiving Jesus As A GuestJesus Eating

All the tax collectors and sinners were approaching to listen to Him. Verse ConceptsSinnersTax CollectorsDrawing Near To ChristHearing Christtaxes

Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?” Verse ConceptsSinnersTeachablenessBaptised By JohnOne's Deeds

(And when all the people, including the tax collectors, heard this, they acknowledged God’s way of righteousness, because they had been baptized with John’s baptism. Verse ConceptsJohn's BaptismPrejudiceTax CollectorsReceived OutcastsBaptised By JohnBaptismtaxes


Then Levi hosted a grand banquet for Him at his house. Now there was a large crowd of tax collectors and others who were guests with them. Verse ConceptsCrowdsFeastingevangelism, kinds ofCelebrationsBanquets, Examples OfGuestsHospitality, Examples OfLargenessTax CollectorsDinnerReceiving Jesus As A Guest

For if you love those who love you, what reward will you have? Don't even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing out of the ordinary? Don't even the Gentiles do the same?

For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you didn’t believe him. Tax collectors and prostitutes did believe him, but you, when you saw it, didn’t even change your minds then and believe him. Verse ConceptsPrejudiceRepentance, Importance OfUnbelief, As Response To GodWay, TheSkepticismBelieving ProphetsNot Believing PeoplePeople Changing Their MindsRepentancePeople Who Did RightRewards Of Ritual

“Which of the two did his father’s will?”

“The first,” they said.

Jesus said to them, “I assure you: Tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you! Verse ConceptsKingdom Of God, Entry IntoReceived OutcastsPeople Going BeforeEntering The KingdomTwo SonsObeying PeopleThe Will Of MenGoing To Heavenwhorestaxessurprises

Philip and Bartholomew;
Thomas and Matthew the tax collector;
James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;
Verse ConceptsTwin Brotherszealotstaxes

The Pharisee took his stand and was praying like this: ‘God, I thank You that I’m not like other people —greedy, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. Verse ConceptsExtortion, Examples OfAttitudes, in prayerHypocrisy, Description OfPrejudiceStandingStatusTax CollectorsHypocrites, Description OfSelf DelusionEvildoersNot Like PeopleAvoid AdulteryWe Thank GodConfession of sin

After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the tax office, and He said to him, “Follow Me!” Verse ConceptsCommitment, to Jesus ChristChristlikenessApostles, Descriptiondiscipleship, nature ofInstructions About Followingtaxes

There was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. Verse ConceptsWealthy People


He told them, “Don’t collect any more than what you have been authorized.” Verse ConceptsMoney, Stewardship OfTaxExtortionBeing Contenttaxes

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