Bible Verses About Publicans: Repent under the preaching of John the Baptist

For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.

Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.

The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.

For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?