Not republican ...publican funny typo maybe not so funny
G5057 τελώνης telōnēs
Thayer Definition:
1) a renter or farmer of taxes 1a) among the Romans, usually a man of equestrian rank 2) a tax gatherer, collector of taxes or tolls, one employed by a publican or farmer general in the collection of taxes. The tax collectors were as a class, detested not only by the Jews, but by other nations also, both on account of their employment and of the harshness, greed, and deception, with which they did their job
They could ask for anything...Jesus told them to be fair.
Jesus only paid for Peter and his tax with the coins from the fish. He did it not to offend them and not because he thought it needed to be done.
Matthew and Zaccheus were in lucrative business but they were held in high contempt by others
spiritually the publican where bottom of the barrell repenters in most cases, they are almost always referred to as "publicans and sinners" No one thought much of them
so the Pharisees and onlookers must have been shocked when Jesus commented
Mat 21:31 Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you,
That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.and
Luk 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that
I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
Luk 18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
Mat 11:19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber,
a friend of publicans and sinners.
But Wisdom is justified of her children. In light of Rays Nashville lecture this last one has an interesting phrase
beloved