Tax collectors were often viewed with disdain in biblical times, seen as sinners and traitors for working with occupying powers like the Romans. Yet, Jesus’ interactions with tax collectors demonstrate His love, mercy, and ability to transform lives. Below are Bible verses surrounding tax collectors. Do read on!
Also Read: Bible Verses About Taxes
Jesus Calls a Tax Collector to Follow Him
One of the most profound moments in the New Testament is when Jesus calls Matthew, a tax collector, to be His disciple. This act highlights Jesus’ mission to reach out to those marginalized by society and demonstrates that no one is beyond redemption. Let’s explore scriptures that recount this remarkable event.
Matthew 9:9
“As Jesus was walking along, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. ‘Follow me and be my disciple,’ Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed Him.”
Mark 2:14
“As He walked along, He saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at his tax collector’s booth. ‘Follow me and be my disciple,’ Jesus said to him. So Levi got up and followed Him.”
Luke 5:27-28
“Later, as Jesus left the town, He saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at his tax booth. ‘Follow me and be my disciple,’ Jesus said to him. So Levi got up, left everything, and followed Him.”
Luke 15:1
“Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach.”
Matthew 11:19
“The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!’ But wisdom is shown to be right by its results.”
Repentance and Redemption of a Tax Collector
The story of Zacchaeus reveals the power of repentance and how encountering Jesus can transform a sinner into a new person. Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector, is a prime example of how faith leads to restoration and redemption.
Luke 19:2-4
“There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich. He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way.”
Luke 19:8
“Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, ‘I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!'”
Luke 19:9
“Jesus responded, ‘Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham.'”
Luke 19:10
“For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”
Matthew 3:8
“Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.”
Jesus’ Association with Tax Collectors
Jesus faced criticism for associating with tax collectors and sinners. However, His actions emphasize that His ministry was not to the righteous but to call sinners to repentance. These verses show Jesus’ inclusive approach and His mission to save the lost.
Matthew 9:10
“Later, Matthew invited Jesus and His disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners.”
Mark 2:15
“Later, Levi invited Jesus and His disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. (There were many people of this kind among Jesus’ followers.)”
Luke 7:34
“The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!’”
Matthew 21:31
“Then Jesus explained His meaning: ‘I tell you the truth, corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you do.'”
Luke 5:29
“Later, Levi held a banquet in his home with Jesus as the guest of honor. Many of Levi’s fellow tax collectors and other guests also ate with them.”
Also Read: Bible Verses About Stewardship of Money
Humility of the Tax Collector in Prayer
The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector teaches the importance of humility before God. Unlike the self-righteous Pharisee, the tax collector acknowledges his sinfulness and pleads for mercy, demonstrating the kind of heart that God accepts.
Luke 18:10
“Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector.”
Luke 18:11
“The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector!'”
Luke 18:13
“But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.'”
Luke 18:14
“I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
James 4:10
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up in honor.”
Rejection of Tax Collectors by Society
Tax collectors were often shunned by Jewish society, seen as greedy and collaborators with the Romans. These verses reflect the social disdain for tax collectors, providing insight into their marginalized status and the power of Jesus’ acceptance of them.
Matthew 18:17
“If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.”
Luke 3:12
“Even corrupt tax collectors came to be baptized and asked, ‘Teacher, what should we do?'”
Luke 3:13
“He replied, ‘Collect no more taxes than the government requires.'”
Matthew 5:46
“If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much.”
Luke 7:29
“When they heard this, all the people—even the tax collectors—agreed that God’s way was right, for they had been baptized by John.”
Jesus’ Teachings on Paying Taxes
Jesus addressed questions about taxes, emphasizing the importance of giving to earthly authorities what belongs to them while prioritizing our ultimate allegiance to God. These verses illustrate His wisdom and perspective on paying taxes.
Matthew 22:17
“Tell us what you think about this: Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
Matthew 22:19
“Here, show me the coin used for the tax. When they handed Him a Roman coin,”
Matthew 22:21
“‘Well, then,’ He said, ‘give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.'”
Mark 12:17
“‘Well then,’ Jesus said, ‘give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.’ His reply completely amazed them.”
Romans 13:7
“Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.”