set a revenue target for the region; the investor guaranteed this amount and was then permitted to charge any amount above the tax as profit. The possibilities for fraud and abuse were obvious, and the Roman Senate regularly raised concerns. This exploitation accounts for the sheer public disdain for toll collectors. The Jewish law called them “thieves,” and the public often compared them with sinners (Matt 11:19) and Gentiles (Matt. 18:17). They were often unscrupulous, their efforts were backed