And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.
And he told them, 'Don't collect more than what you're supposed to collect.'
Do your job honestly, don't use your position to take advantage of people.
📚 Historical Context
In the time of John the Baptist, tax collectors in the Roman Empire were often corrupt, collecting extra money from people beyond what was officially required and keeping it for themselves, which made them widely disliked. When these tax collectors came to John in the wilderness seeking baptism and asking how to live rightly, he gave them straightforward advice as part of his call for repentance and moral reform. This instruction highlighted the need for honesty in everyday occupations during a period of social and spiritual upheaval.
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