what is a publican?

Question

can you please tell where in the bible the answer is located

Answer 1

It's a tax collector (so the publican's prayer, "lord have mercy on me, sinner that I am" - was said by a tax collector). I don't think the bible actually defines it since, well, it's not especially a biblical term. It's from latin.

Answer 2

In the Bible the word publican refered to a tax collector. In more modern times, it's a person who keeps a pub.

Answer 3

a publican is the person who runs the pub or bar. Luke 18:9-14 the pharisee and the publican

Answer 4

A tax collector. Compare Matthew 5:46 in the KJV with the same verse in the NKJV, or any other translation. Publican is an old-fashioned word no longer used.

Answer 5

A political office created by the Romans to help collect taxes in the provinces. Actually tax collector is more correct than the older term publican in referring to the lowest rank in the structure.

Answer 6

The answer isn't in the Bible, it's in an English dictionary.

A publican is a tax collector. :)

All the best.

Answer 7

Why do you want it in the bible? A publican is an operator of a pub in modern terms. Historically it's a Roman tax collector.

Answer 8

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican was told by Jesus in the gospel of Luke. In it, a Pharisee, grateful for his own virtue, is judged lower than a tax collector who is ashamed of his own sin. The lesson teaches the value of displaying humility by seeking forgiveness for one's sins over displaying pride at one's own self righteousness.

During the first century, Pharisees were men of high standing in the religious community and were well known for their strict adherence to the Law of Moses. On the other hand, publicans were Jews who collaborated with the Roman Empire. Because they were best known for collecting taxes they are commonly described as tax collectors. In the parable, Jesus presents these two men in the context of the popular stereotype of the time.

The Pharisee represents those who follow the religious law to the letter while the publican represents those who are knowingly sinful. The lesson teaches that the Pharisee, despite his many good works, is held back by pride while the publican who humbly admits his faults to God is the one whose prayer is accepted.

From Luke 18:9-14, NIV [1]

“ To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." ”

In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Parable of the Publican and the Pharisee is read as part of the preperatory period leading up to Great Lent. The Parable is a major theme which one finds repeated numerous times throughtout the Lenten services. The Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee falls on the fifth Sunday before the beginning of Lent (part of the moveable cycle of the Orthodox Chrisian calendar).

The Jesus Seminar rated the parable (other than the last sentence) probably authentic ("pink"). As in the Parable of the Good Samaritan, here the despised character is revealed as the virtuous one, a reversal typical of Jesus' style.

Answer 9

Tax Collector

Notice Publican is real close to Politician or those who decide on our Tax Collections.

Answer 10

A person who owes a pub! I dont think pubs were invinted in biblical times sorry. Althought it is a moir authority for Christians I dont think the bible would worry about little things like this. Not everything in the world is false!