Matthew, when called, was sitting at the receipt of
custom, or dues on merchandise. He was a publican or tax-gatherer, or,
as we should say, a custom house officer. The publicans had houses or
booths built for them at the foot of bridges, at the mouth of rivers, by
the sea shore, and the parts of the lake of Gennesareth, or sea of
Tiberias, to collect the taxes on passengers and merchandise. See
PUBLICAN.
custom, or dues on merchandise. He was a publican or tax-gatherer, or,
as we should say, a custom house officer. The publicans had houses or
booths built for them at the foot of bridges, at the mouth of rivers, by
the sea shore, and the parts of the lake of Gennesareth, or sea of
Tiberias, to collect the taxes on passengers and merchandise. See
PUBLICAN.