Luke 3:13
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
And he said to them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.
American King James Version (AKJV)
And he said to them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.
American Standard Version (ASV)
And he said unto them, Extort no more than that which is appointed you.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
And he said to them, Do not make an attempt to get more money than the right amount.
Webster's Revision
And he said to them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.
World English Bible
He said to them, "Collect no more than that which is appointed to you."
English Revised Version (ERV)
And he said unto them, Extort no more than that which is appointed you.
Barnes's Luke 3:13 Bible Commentary
Exact - Demand, or take, no more.
Than that which is appointed - That is, by the government. John does not condemn the office, or say that the employment should be forsaken. Though it was hated by the people - though often abused and therefore unpopular - yet "the office itself" was not dishonorable. If there is a government, it must be supported; and of course there must be people whose duty it is to collect taxes, as the means of the proper support of the government; and as such a support of the government is necessary, so the people should pay cheerfully the just apportionment of their rulers, and regard favorably those who are authorized to collect it. See Romans 13:1-6.
