"a custom-house, toll house; collector’s office, Mt. 9:9; Mk. 2:14; Lk. 5:27*"
Definition and meaning
a custom-house, toll house; collector’s office, Mt. 9:9; Mk. 2:14; Lk. 5:27*
In the original Greek the word is written: τελώνιον
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of telonion (G5058) across the King James Bible.
And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.
And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me.
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Common questions
Strong's G5058 (telonion) is a Greek word that means: a custom-house, toll house; collector’s office, Mt. 9:9; Mk. 2:14; Lk. 5:27* It appears 3 times in the King James Bible.
The word telonion (G5058) appears 3 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G5058 is telonion, a Greek word defined as: a custom-house, toll house; collector’s office, Mt. 9:9; Mk. 2:14; Lk. 5:27*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
telonion is a Greek word found in the New Testament.