Bible Dictionary
Publican
A publican was a tax collector working for the Roman government or its contractors. Publicans were often despised because of their association with Gentile rule and their reputation for overcharging, yet Jesus received repentant publicans among His followers.
Biblical Usage
Publicans appear in the Gospels as a despised class, often associated with sinners and regarded by Jews as traitors and apostates because they served Roman authority. Yet publicans were among the early hearers and followers of John and Jesus. Zacchaeus was a chief publican, and Jesus was criticized as a friend of publicans and sinners.
Scripture References