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PTOLEMAIS - PURIM

it worthy to be publicly read in the churches; while fourfold to those from whom he had taken anything by
Tertullian declares that all (in his region) reckon it false accusation (Lk. 19:8). Though despised by the
“inter Apocrypha et false.” Jerome, that it is almost people, the publicans were frequent objects of Christ’s
unknown among the Latins; and Eusebius, though grace. Zacchaeus was gloriously saved. Matthew was
accounting the work of some value, placing it among selected to be one of the Apostles and the author of one
the antilegomena, yet nowhere allows to it canonical of the Gospels. Jesus used the publican to illustrate the
authority. The latter fact is true, indeed, of all early
writers who attempted definite lists of the Sacred sinner who humbles himself in contrast with the
Books. The temporary honor to which the work religious pride and hypocrisy of the Pharisee (Lk.
attained in certain places was wholly due to principles 18:9-14; Mt. 21:31, 32). “Publicans were persons who
and reasons already stated. [Editor: It was apparently farmed the Roman taxes or revenue. They were, usually,
given honor only in certain heretical circles, as is the persons of wealth and credit. It was considered among
case today.] the Romans an honorable position, and generally
The claim which this and the other writings of the so- conferred on Roman knights. They employed under
called Apostolic Fathers have to canonical recognition, them inferior officers, and these, generally, were natives
on the ground of their style and internal characteristics of the provinces in which the taxes were collected; to
generally, we leave to be stated by [Friedrich] Bleek this class Matthew no doubt belonged. These petty
[nineteenth century textual scholar and author of the officers were everywhere notorious for their fraudulent
two-volume An Introduction to the New Testament, exactions; but to the Jews they were especially obvious.
1869-70, and the two-volume An Introduction to the
Old Testament, 1869], who will not be charged with The Jews looked upon themselves as a freeborn people,
being unduly affected by prejudice. “The only writings and that they had this privilege direct from God
of this class,” he says, “about which there could be a Himself. ‘We be Abraham’s seed,’ was their boast, ‘and
question, are those of the Apostolic Fathers, who are were never in bondage to any man.’ Consequently, the
mentioned in the New Testament as Christian teachers Roman tax gatherers were the visible proofs of their
and helpers of the Apostles—Barnabas, Clement of slavery, and of the degraded state of their nation. This
Rome, and Hermas. Barnabas, in particular, seems to was the chain that galled them, and betrayed them into
have held a prominent position in the Church. But the many acts of rebellion against the Romans. Hence it was
epistle which bears his name is probably spurious, and that publicans were abhorred by the Jews. They looked
its contents are paltry and frivolous, so that it is quite upon them as traitors and apostates, and as the ready
unworthy to be placed side by side with the New
Testament writings. Clement and Hermas are too little tools of the oppressor. Besides, they were most arbitrary
prominent as fellow-workers with the Apostle, and we and unjust in their taxations; and having the law on
cannot place the same reliance in them as teachers, as, their side, they could enforce payment. It was in their
for example, in Apollos. The Epistle of Clement to the power to examine each case of goods exported or
Corinthians,—which alone of the writings extant imported, and to assess the alleged value in the most
bearing his name is probably genuine,—and ‘The vexatious way” (Miller’s Church History, pp. 65, 66).
Shepherd,’ which bears the name of Hermas as its PUBLIUS (who is of the people, popular). Ac. 28:7.
author, are alike unfit if we consider their scope and
range, together with their form, and especially the PUDENS (shamefaced). 2 Ti. 4:21.
visionary character of the latter, to be regarded as PUFFED UP. To be proud; to be swelled up with
constituent parts of the New Testament” (Bissell, pp. conceit (1 Co. 4:6,18,19; 5:2; 8:1; 13:4; Col. 2:18).
403-407). [See Apocrypha, Canon, Inspiration.] [See Humble, Pride.]
PTOLEMAIS (warlike). Ac. 21:7. PUFFETH. To scoff; to blow as an expression of scorn
PUA (mouth). Nu. 26:23. or contempt (Webster) (Ps. 10:5; 12:5). The Hebrew
PUAH (brightness, splendor). Ex. 1:15. word (pooakh) means “to puff, i.e., blow with the
PUBLICAN. A tax collector for the Roman breath or air; hence to fan (as a breeze), to utter, to
government (Lk. 3:12-13; 19:1-10). The publicans were kindle (a fire), to scoff” (Strong).
hated by the Jews (1) because they collected taxes for PUL (fat, elephant, destruction). 2 Ki. 15:19.
the despised Roman government which ruled over Israel PULPIT. A speaker’s lectern or platform (Ne. 8:4).
in the days of Christ, and (2) because the publicans PULSE. Leguminous plants or their seeds; vegetables
were notoriously dishonest. The publicans were classed (Da. 1:12, 16).
with “sinners” (Mt. 9:11; 11:19), “harlots (Mt. PUR, PURIM (casting of lots). A feast, signifying ‘lot
21:31-32), and the “heathen” (Mt. 18:17). The or lots.’ Haman cast lots to find an auspicious day for
authority to collect taxes gave them opportunity to rob the destruction of the Jews. On this being averted, their
the people. This is evidenced by the warning given to deliverance was commemorated by an annual feast (Es.
them by John the Baptist (Lk. 3:13). The publican 3:7; 9:24-32). This feast is not mentioned by name in
Zacchaeus admitted this when he said he would restore

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