Introduction Matthew’s narrative of Jesus’ interaction with him is one of the many passages where Jesus interacts with sinners. Matthew’s audience at this time was Jewish-Christians who were transitioning from Judaism to Christianity around the last 20 years of the first century. This story provided insight that Jesus saw a sense of worth in every individual, including sinners.
Historical Context Although the Gospel is formally anonymous, with the help of internal and external evidence it can provide us with a better understanding to the person who wrote this text. We can assume the author of Matthew was a Jewish-Christian because of the vast amount of information that pertains to Jewish Christian characteristics found
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Jesus can see that everyone is worth something, but the Pharisees can only see worth in people who are considered pure.12 The Pharisees disregard anyone who is not at the same status as them, while Jesus does not see people as different statuses. Everyone is worth something and has something to offer.
Ethical Analysis The ethical content of the story of the Tax Collector of Jesus seeing the infinite worth of every individual. According to Roger H. Crook, every individual is of infinite worth and is to be treated with respect. When the Pharisees look at sinners and undesirables they do not see them as regular people. They cannot see the infinite worth of every individual, unlike Jesus who sees good in everyone and knows that everyone has something to offer. Jesus set an example for his disciples and for all people to follow. His example and teaching was to show compassion towards everyone, men, women, Jews, Gentiles, righteous people, and sinners alike. He believes they should all be treated the same. Jesus did not always treat everyone in the same manner, but he never treated someone as if they were