Bible Verses about “tax collectors”

“For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to [execute] wrath upon him that doeth evil.”

“¶ 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.”

“¶ Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute [is due]; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.”

“Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.”

“For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.”

“For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:”

“Wherefore [ye] must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.”

“¶ ‹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.›”

“‹But if he will not hear› [thee, then] ‹take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.›”

“‹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.›”

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

“‹But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put› [it] ‹on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on› [his] ‹feet:›”

“‹For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.›”

“‹Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.›”

“‹And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.›”

“‹And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.›”

“‹And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill› [it]; ‹and let us eat, and be merry:›”

“‹And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!›”

“‹I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,›”

“‹And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.›”

“‹And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.›”

“‹And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.›”

“‹It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.›”

“‹And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.›”

“¶ And he said, ‹A certain man had two sons:›”

“‹And the younger of them said to› [his] ‹father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth› [to me]. ‹And he divided unto them› [his] ‹living.›”

“‹And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.›”

“‹And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.›”

“‹And he answering said to› [his] ‹father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:›”

“‹I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.›”

“‹And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.›”

“‹And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.›”

“‹And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.›”

“‹But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.›”

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

“‹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.›”

“‹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.›”

“‹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.›”

“‹What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?›”

“‹And when he hath found› [it], ‹he layeth› [it] ‹on his shoulders, rejoicing.›”

“‹And when he cometh home, he calleth together› [his] ‹friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.›”

“‹Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.›”

“And he spake this parable unto them, saying,”

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

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

“And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.”

“‹Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find› [it]?”

“‹And when she hath found› [it], ‹she calleth› [her] ‹friends and› [her] ‹neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.›”

“¶ 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.”