HOW WERE TAX COLLECTORS IN JESUS’ TIME PORTRAYED? They were seen as bad people and sinners. In the Bible, tax collectors are often shown in a bad light. They were seen as greedy and dishonest, working for the Roman government and sometimes taking more money than required. People thought they were doing wrong and treated them as outcasts.
ZACCHAEUS’ AMAZING TURNING POINT Zacchaeus was a tax collector. He wanted to see Jesus, so he climbed a tree. Jesus went to his house, and Zacchaeus decided to give back the money he had taken unfairly. He also promised to give even more to help the poor, showing his change of heart.
THEIR JOB Tax collectors collected money from people to give to the Roman government. They took taxes from things like land and goods.
HOW PEOPLE FELT ABOUT THEM People didn’t like tax collectors because they often took more money than they should and kept the extra for themselves. This made them seem unfair and dishonest.
THE PHARISEE AND THE TAX COLLECTOR Jesus told a story about a Pharisee and a tax collector praying in the temple. The Pharisee bragged about being good, but the tax collector humbly asked God for forgiveness. Jesus said the tax collector’s humble attitude was better because he was sorry for what he had done.
