Luke 3:13
And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 12
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
4 of 12
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
αὐτούς
them
G846
αὐτούς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 of 12
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
πλέον
more
G4119
πλέον
more
Strong's:
G4119
Word #:
7 of 12
more in quantity, number, or quality; also (in plural) the major portion
παρὰ
than
G3844
παρὰ
than
Strong's:
G3844
Word #:
8 of 12
properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 12
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
1 Corinthians 6:10Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.Luke 19:8And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.Ephesians 4:28Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.Micah 6:8He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?Matthew 7:12Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
Historical Context
Roman tax collectors typically collected official taxes plus additional amounts for personal profit, making the profession synonymous with extortion. John's requirement that they collect only legitimate taxes would have significantly reduced their income, testing the genuineness of their repentance through economic sacrifice.
Questions for Reflection
- How does genuine repentance transform how we conduct our vocations?
- What does John's allowing publicans to continue their profession teach about secular work?
- How can believers practice honesty and integrity in ethically complicated professions?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
John's instruction to publicans—'Exact no more than that which is appointed you'—addresses their specific temptation to extortion. He doesn't command them to abandon their profession but to practice it honestly. This demonstrates that repentance transforms how we conduct our calling, not necessarily what that calling is (unless inherently sinful). The command acknowledges legitimate taxation ('that which is appointed') while prohibiting corruption. John's practical ethics shows that Christian faith sanctifies secular vocations, requiring honesty and justice in worldly employment. This anticipates Paul's teaching about working honestly in whatever calling God has placed us (1 Cor 7:20-24; Eph 4:28).