We read of a few slanderous names of Jesus (Yeshua‘) uttered by His enemies. Friend of tax collectors and sinners is one of those names. Jesus said that people referred to Him in that way. On other occasions, they called Him Beelzebul and the Deceiver.
Friend of tax collectors and sinners in the Greek text of Matthew 11:19.
Friend of tax collectors and sinners in Greek:
Philos telōnōn kai hamartōlōn
Strong’s Concordance numbers: 5384, 5057, 268
Bible references: Matt. 11:19; Luke 7:34
The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.” (Matthew 11:19 NIV)
The KJV calls tax collectors, “publicans.”
