Taxation in ancient Rome

In fact, in any of Greek literature for that matter.

But it's not difficult to understand it given the system of taxation, Roman taxation at this particular time.

We've talked about this recently.

The rich in Rome, usually, typically senators, bought, purchased the right at auction to tax a certain region.

He would pass on the money, but he would also line his own pockets.

This meant two things for this man.

Zacchaeus first he was very rich as verse 2 tells us and second he was deeply hated and resented by everyone for several reasons first he he worked for the enemy he worked for the Roman overlords that the Roman oppressors second he lined his own pockets on the backs of his own countrymen and He was therefore seen as a traitor, and in many senses he was.

He was seen as a notorious sinner, again, barred from religious and community life.