King James Bible
"Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?"
Tax collectors (publicans) were despised as collaborators with Rome and notorious for extortion, making their pursuit of baptism remarkable. Their inclusion demonstrates John's baptism was available even to social outcasts, foreshadowing the gospel's universal reach. Unlike demanding specific religious rituals, these tax collectors seek practical guidance for living out their repentance. Their address of John as 'Master' (teacher) shows respect and their question reveals genuine desire for ethical transformation in their morally compromised profession.