Question

Why were tax collectors hated by their fellow Jews?


because tax collectors worked for the Romans


because tax collectors were unnaturally cunning


because tax collectors were foreigners, and the Jews were racists


because tax collectors believed they were more holy than everybody else

Answer 1

Because tax collectors worked for the Romans.

They were seen as collaborators with the occupying power and often extorted extra money for themselves, so Jews regarded them as traitors and sinners and excluded them socially and religiously.