What Does the Bible Say About Publicans?

“For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?”

“And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?”

“And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.”

“And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?”

“Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;”

“The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.”

“And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.”

“Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.”

“For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.”

“And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him. at the: or, at the place where the custom was received”

“And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him.”

“Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?”

“And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.”

“And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me.”

“And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them.”

“And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.”

“Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.”

“And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: that: or, as being righteous”

“Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.”

“The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.”

“I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.”

“And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.”

“I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”

“And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.”

“And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.”

“And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.”

“And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.”

“And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.”

“And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.”

“And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.”

“And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.”

“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”