Mat 9:10 | TNotes | STEP | 9:10 The Jewish people despised Jewish tax collectors (5:46-47 ; 18:15-20 ), who cooperated with Roman oppressors and were considered betrayers of the Israelite nation. Many also considered them unclean because of their frequent contact with Gentiles and because of the idolatrous images on Roman coins. Tax-collection was a private enterprise. In each district, Rome granted the right to collect taxes to the highest bidder (cp. Luke 19:1-10 ). Anything collected above the bid was profit for the collectors, who, driven by greed, often used extortion.

b5:46-47►

c18:15-20►

dLuke 19:1-10►

‏ Matthew 9:10

9:10 ^a The Jewish people despised Jewish tax collectors (5:46-47 ^b; 18:15-20 ^c), who cooperated with Roman oppressors and were considered betrayers of the Israelite nation. Many also considered them unclean because of their frequent contact with Gentiles and because of the idolatrous images on Roman coins. Tax-collection was a private enterprise. In each district, Rome granted the right to collect taxes to the highest bidder (cp. Luke 19:1-10 ^d). Anything collected above the bid was profit for the collectors, who, driven by greed, often used extortion.