Luke Chapter 3 verse 12 Holy Bible
And there came also publicans to be baptized, and they said unto him, Teacher, what must we do?
read chapter 3 in ASV
Then tax-farmers came to him for baptism and said to him, Master, what have we to do?
read chapter 3 in BBE
And tax-gatherers came also to be baptised, and they said to him, Teacher, what should we do?
read chapter 3 in DARBY
Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?
read chapter 3 in KJV
read chapter 3 in WBT
Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, "Teacher, what must we do?"
read chapter 3 in WEB
And there came also tax-gatherers to be baptised, and they said unto him, `Teacher, what shall we do?'
read chapter 3 in YLT
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerse 12. - Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do? This is the first time this class of men, who on several occasions come before us in the gospel story, is mentioned. The English rendering is most unhappy, for to many of our people it either suggests nothing, or else supplies a wrong chain of reasoning. The τελῶναι, the Latin publicani (whence our rendering), were men who collected the Roman taxes or imposts. These imperial taxes, the most painful and everpresent reminder to the Jew of his subject and dependent position, were in the first instance leased out to jobbers and speculators of the equestrian order; these were properly the publicani. Beneath them and in their employ were a numerous staff who performed for these farmers of the imperial revenue the various disagreeable duties connected with the collection of the taxes. Then, as now in the East, bribery, corruption, oppression, and unfair dealing, were too common among all ranks of officials First, then, the duty itself, the being concerned in the collection of a tribute - for that is what these taxes really were - for Gentile Rome, and, secondly, the various iniquities connected with the gathering of this tribute, made the tax or tribute collectors of all ranks odious among the Jews dwelling in Palestine. Many of the posts, especially the subordinate ones, in this department of tribute and taxes, were held by Jews, in all ages singularly gifted in matters which have to do with finance. The Jew, however in the days of John the Baptist, who could stoop to such an employment, lucrative though it might be, was looked upon by his stricter fellow-countrymen with feelings of intense scorn. Yet even these men are not bidden by this inspired prophet of the Highest to change their way of life, but only its manner. "Would you," he says to these men who belonged to the hated calling, "indeed wash and be clean in the eyes of the All-Seeing? then in that profession of yours, remember, be scrupulous, be honest."
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(12) Then came also publicans.--The other Gospels do not mention the presence of this class in their narratives of the Baptist's work, but it is implied in Matthew 21:32.
