BACKGROUND NOTES
Jericho had a warmer climate than other Jewish cities higher up. Water ran down from higher elevations. As a result, dates and other agricultural products were grown in and around Jericho. Because it was on one of the main roads into the capitol, Jerusalem, there was a lot of trade and commerce. Tax collectors would have been busy taking the Roman taxes and the taxes required by the king of Palestine.
Because tax collectors were known to work with non-Jews, take Jewish money out of the community, and swindle and cheat people, they were viewed as unclean and sinners. Most were not welcome in any synagogue or at the temple. Like many of the outcasts that Jesus helped, tax collectors were shunned by most of Jewish society. No one trying to be holy and righteous would have anything to do with tax collectors.
