PUBLICANS
Publicans
The persons who farmed the taxes levied by the Romans, a certain sum being payable for each district. These then farmed out smaller portions to others, or engaged them to collect the money. The whole system was bad, and was capable of abuse by the collectors demanding more than they should. The counsel given by John the Baptist to the Publicans was: “Exact no more than that which is appointed you.” Luk 3:12-13. Zacchaeus would appear to have been a just and liberal man; he speaks of restoring money taken ‘by false accusation’: being ‘the chief among the publicans,’ he remedied such things as were under his control.
The obligation to pay taxes to the Romans was very galling to the Jews, and those engaged in collecting them were accounted unworthy of any respect, hence ‘publicans and sinners’ are often classed together; the Lord was derided by the religious people for entering their houses: they mockingly called Him “a friend of publicans and sinners.” But God’s grace was for all, and Matthew was called from his office of publican to be one of the apostles. Mat 5:46-47; Mat 10:3; Mar 2:15-16; Luk 5:27-30; Luk 18:10-13.
Fuente: Concise Bible Dictionary
Publicans
Roman tax collectors.
Disreputable
Mat 5:46-47; Mat 9:11; Mat 11:19; Mat 18:17; Mat 21:31; Luk 18:11
Repent under the preaching of John the Baptist
Mat 21:32; Luk 3:12; Luk 7:29
Matthew, the collector of Capernaum, becomes an apostle
Mat 9:9; Mat 10:3; Mar 2:14; Luk 5:27
Parable concerning
Luk 18:9-14
Zacchaeus, chief among, receives Jesus into his house
Luk 19:2-10
Fuente: Nave’s Topical Bible
PUBLICANS
collectors of Roman revenue
Mat 5:46; Mat 9:10; Mat 18:17; Mat 21:31; Luk 3:12; Luk 5:29; Luk 7:34; Luk 18:10