# tax, taxes # ## Definition: ## The terms "tax" and "taxes" refer to money or goods that people pay to a government that is in authority over them. * The amount of money that is paid for tax is usually based on the value of an item or on how much a person's property is worth. * If taxes are not paid, the government can take legal action against a person to get the money that is owed. * Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem to be counted in the census that was for the purpose of taxing everyone living in the Roman empire. * There was also a "temple tax" which was money that people put in the temple offering box. Some of this money was used for taking care of the temple building. * The term "tax" could also be translated as, "required payment" or "government money" or "temple money," depending on the context. * Phrases such as, "collect taxes" and "pay taxes" could also be translated as, "pay money to the government" or "receive money for the government" or "make the required payment." * A "tax collector" is someone who works for the government to receive the money that people are required to pay them. (See also: [[other/bethlehem]] **·** [[other/census]] **·** [[other/citizen]] **·** [[other/rome]] **·** [[other/taxcollector]]) ## Bible References: ## * [Luke 20:21-22](en/tn/luk/help/20/21) * [Mark 02:13-14](en/tn/mrk/help/02/13) * [Matthew 09:7-9](en/tn/mat/help/09/07) * [Numbers 31:28-29](en/tn/num/help/31/28) * [Romans 13:6-7](en/tn/rom/help/13/06)