Thematic Bible: The Publicans
Thematic Bible
the Publicans » The jews » Classed with the most infamous characters
the Publicans » The jews » Despised our lord for associating with
When the Pharisees saw this, they asked His disciples, “Why does your Master eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
the Publicans » Many of » Attended the preaching of Christ
And it happened that Jesus was reclining at the table in Levi’s house, and many tax collectors and sinners [including non-observant Jews] were eating with Him and His disciples; for there were many of them and they were following Him.
Now all the tax collectors and sinners [including non-observant Jews] were coming near Jesus to listen to Him.
the Publicans » Many of » Received john's baptism
Even some tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked, “Teacher, what are we to do?”
All the people and the tax collectors who heard Jesus, acknowledged [the validity of] God’s justice, having been baptized with the baptism of John.
the Publicans » Often hospitable
So Zaccheus hurried and came down, and welcomed Jesus with joy.
Levi (Matthew) gave a great banquet for Him at his house; and there was a large crowd of tax collectors and others who were reclining at the table with them.
the Publicans » Often kind to their friends
For if you love those who love you, what reward can you have? Do not even the tax collectors do that? And if you greet only your brethren, what more than others are you doing? Do not even the Gentiles (the heathen) do that?
the Publicans » Many of » Believed the preaching of john
the Publicans » Many of » Embraced the gospel
the Publicans » Matthew the apostle was of
Philip and Bartholomew (Nathanael); Thomas and Matthew (Levi) the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus (Judas, not Iscariot);
the Publicans » The jews » Despised
the Publicans » The collectors of the public taxes
After this Jesus went out and noticed a tax collector named Levi (Matthew) sitting at the tax booth; and He said to him, “Follow Me [as My disciple, accepting Me as your Master and Teacher and walking the same path of life that I walk].”
the Publicans » Chiefs of, were very rich
And there was a man called Zaccheus; he was a chief tax collector [a superintendent to whom others reported], and he was rich.
the Publicans » Often guilty of extortion
Zaccheus stopped and said to the Lord, “See, Lord, I am [now] giving half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone out of anything, I will give back four times as much.”
the Publicans » Suspected of extortion
And he told them, “Collect no more than the fixed amount you have been ordered to [collect].”