What does the Bible say about tax collectors?

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

• Luke 3:12-13

  [12] Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, "Teacher, what must we do?" [13] He said to them, "Collect no more than that which is appointed to you."

• Matthew 11:19

  The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' But wisdom is justified by her children."

• Matthew 18:15-17

  [15] "If your brother sins against you, go, show him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained back your brother. [16] But if he doesn't listen, take one or two more with you, that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. [17] If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the assembly. If he refuses to hear the assembly also, let him be to you as a Gentile or a tax collector.

• Luke 18:9-14

  [9] He spoke also this parable to certain people who were convinced of their own righteousness, and who despised all others. [10] "Two men went up into the temple to pray; one was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector. [11] The Pharisee stood and prayed to himself like this: 'God, I thank you, that I am not like the rest of men, extortioners, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. [12] I fast twice a week. I give tithes of all that I get.' [13] But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn't even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' [14] I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."

• Matthew 5:46

  For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don't even the tax collectors do the same?

• Romans 13:6-7

  [6] For this reason you also pay taxes, for they are ministers of God's service, attending continually on this very thing. [7] Give therefore to everyone what you owe: taxes to whom taxes are due; customs to whom customs; respect to whom respect; honor to whom honor.

• Luke 18:10

  "Two men went up into the temple to pray; one was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector.

• Matthew 17:24-27

  [24] When they had come to Capernaum, those who collected the didrachma coins came to Peter, and said, "Doesn't your teacher pay the didrachma?" [25] He said, "Yes." When he came into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth receive toll or tribute? From their children, or from strangers?" [26] Peter said to him, "From strangers." Jesus said to him, "Therefore the children are exempt. [27] But, lest we cause them to stumble, go to the sea, and cast a hook, and take up the first fish that comes up. When you have opened its mouth, you will find a stater coin. Take that, and give it to them for me and you."

• Matthew 9:11

  When the Pharisees saw it, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"

• Matthew 9:9

  As Jesus passed by from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax collection office. He said to him, "Follow me." He got up and followed him.

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