Strong’s G5057: A masculine noun for “tax collector” or “customs officer,” derived from τέλος (tax, toll). In New Testament times, these were often viewed as corrupt collaborators with Rome. Jesus’ interaction with tax collectors demonstrates divine grace and redemptive transformation.

U – Unveiling the Word

τελώνης carries profound significance in the New Testament narrative, representing both social outcasts and divine redemption. These tax collectors were typically Jews who collected taxes for Rome, often through extortion, making them among the most despised members of society. In the gospels, Jesus repeatedly engages with τελώναι, most notably Matthew and Zacchaeus, demonstrating God’s transformative grace. The early church saw in these encounters a powerful testimony to the Messiah’s mission to seek and save the lost. Today, τελώνης continues to symbolize how divine grace reaches those whom society rejects, transforming them into witnesses of God’s redemptive power.

N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: τελώνης, telōnēs, tel-o’-nace
• Phonetic Guide: tel (as in “tell”) + o + nace (as in “face”)
• Part of Speech: Noun

Etymology:

• From τέλος (telos) – tax, toll, custom duty
• -ώνης (-ōnēs) – buyer, dealer
• Compound word literally meaning “tax-buyer”

D – Defining Meanings

• Tax collector
• Customs official
• Revenue officer
• Toll collector

For compound words:

• τέλος contributes the focus on taxes or customs duties
• -ώνης indicates one who purchases or deals in something

Translation Options:

• “tax collector” – most common and clear translation
• “customs officer” – emphasizes official role
• “publican” – traditional translation preserving historical context

E – Exploring Similar Words

• ἀρχιτελώνης (architelōnēs) – chief tax collector See G754
• πράκτωρ (praktōr) – officer, collector See G4233
• φορολόγος (forologos) – tax gatherer See related concept in G5411

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Nominal Features:

• Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Gender: Masculine
• Declension: First declension

Examples:

• Nominative singular: τελώνης (tax collector)
• Genitive singular: τελώνου (of a tax collector)
• Dative singular: τελώνῃ (to/for a tax collector)
• Accusative singular: τελώνην (tax collector as object)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

The lexical sources provide rich understanding of τελώνης. BDAG emphasizes its social and political context in first-century society. Thayer’s notes the system of tax farming where collectors bid for the right to collect taxes. LSJ documents its usage in Hellenistic administrative texts. Vine’s highlights the term’s negative connotations in Jewish society. Strong’s connects it to the concept of tax purchase. Moulton and Milligan cite numerous papyri showing tax collectors’ official duties. The combined evidence suggests τελώνης represented both an official position and a deeply stigmatized social status.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
“For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors [τελῶναι] do the same?” Matthew 5:46

Additional References:
Matthew 9:10, Matthew 10:3, Matthew 11:19, Matthew 21:31, Luke 3:12, Luke 5:27, Luke 7:29

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

τελώνης powerfully illustrates the transformative power of God’s grace. Jesus’ deliberate association with tax collectors demonstrates that no one is beyond divine redemption. The conversion of tax collectors like Matthew and Zacchaeus shows how encountering the Messiah can transform society’s outcasts into faithful disciples. This word reminds us that the good news reaches even those deemed unreachable, offering hope to all who respond to Jesus’ call.

D – Did You Know?

• Tax collectors often paid Rome in advance and collected excess to profit
• Matthew’s Greek name Levi suggests he worked at a customs station
• The term became a metaphor in early church writings for radical transformation

Strong’s G5057: A masculine noun for “tax collector” or “customs officer,” derived from τέλος (tax, toll). In New Testament times, these were often viewed as corrupt collaborators with Rome. Jesus’ interaction with tax collectors demonstrates divine grace and redemptive transformation.

Part of speech: Noun

Tags: tax-collector, outcast, redemption, Matthew, Zacchaeus, transformation, grace, social-status, Rome, conversion​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​