Publicans were Jews who collected taxes for Rome, often adding thei…

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.

Matthew 9:9 (KJV)

And he arose, and followed him. And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.

Matthew 9:9 (KJV)

Mark 2:14 calls him Levi the son of Alphaeus, while Matthew uses his Greek name.

Mark 2:14 (KJV)

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

Matthew 9:11 (KJV)

But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Matthew 9:12 (KJV)

Matthew wrote the first Gospel, emphasising Jesus as the Messiah and King of the Jews, with extensive references to fulfilled prophecy.