Complete Bible Study Guide
What Does the Bible Say About Tax Collectors?
15 Scripture references with full text and commentary
Understanding Tax Collectors in the Bible
What does the Bible say about tax collectors? Browse 15 carefully selected verses that illuminate this biblical theme.
Top 10 Verses About Tax Collectors
- 1Matthew 5:46
“For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?”
KJV - 2Matthew 9:9
“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.”
KJV - 3Matthew 9:11
“And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?”
KJV - 4Matthew 11:19
“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.”
KJV - 5Matthew 17:24
“And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? tribute: called in the original, didrachma, being in value fifteen pence sterling; about thirty seven cents”
KJV - 6Matthew 18:15
“Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.”
KJV - 7Mark 2:14
“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”
KJV - 8
- 9Luke 7:29
“And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.”
KJV - 10
New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Tax Collectors? (15 Verses)
“For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?”
“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?”
“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 when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? tribute: called in the original, didrachma, being in value fifteen pence sterling; about thirty seven cents”
“Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.”
“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”
“Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?”
“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.”
“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. ordained: or, ordered”
“For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.”
How to Study What the Bible Says About Tax Collectors
- 1
Begin by reading through every verse listed on this page, noting which ones speak most directly to your current season of life. Write them down and revisit them throughout the week.
- 2
Use a concordance or the search tools on this site to find additional passages about tax collectors. Look for patterns across both the Old and New Testaments to gain a complete picture of what God reveals on this subject.
- 3
Study the context of each verse. Read the surrounding chapter to understand who was speaking, who the audience was, and what circumstances prompted the passage. Context prevents misapplication.
- 4
Memorise at least one key verse about tax collectors and meditate on it daily. Scripture memory transforms thinking and equips you to apply God's Word in real-time situations.
Practical Application
Studying what the Bible says about tax collectors is only the beginning. Scripture is meant to be lived out in daily obedience and faith. Here are practical steps to apply these truths:
Identify one area of your life where the biblical teaching on tax collectors needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.
Share what you have learned about tax collectors with a fellow believer or in a small group setting. Teaching others solidifies your own understanding and encourages mutual growth.
Pray through the key verses about tax collectors, asking God to reveal how His Word applies to your relationships, decisions, and daily habits.
How Well Do You Know What the Bible Says About Tax Collectors?
You have studied 15 verses about tax collectors. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.