Those poor publicans and sinners, although stained with guilt, felt their need of repentance and pardon. It was the mission of Heaven to relieve just such want as theirs. Although these persons apparently disregarded religious rites and observances, yet in heart and life they were better fitted to become sincere Christians than the Pharisees and priests who scorned them. Many of them were possessed of noble integrity, and would not wrong their conscience by rejecting a doctrine which their reason declared to be true. {2SP 189.2}

Disse arme toldere og syndere følte trang til at omvende sig og få tilgivelse for deres synder. Jesus blev sendt for at hjælpe sådanne. Selv om disse mennesker tilsidesatte religionens skikke og fordringer, så var de dog bedre skikkede til at blive oprigtige kristne end farisæerne og præsterne, som foragtede Jesus. Mange af dem var oprigtige og ædle mennesker, og de kunne ikke for sin samvittigheds skyld forkaste en lære, hvis sandhed deres fornuft overbeviste dem om.