Luke 5 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 5:27-32 – Tax-man Levi Called

Luke 5:27-32 – Tax-man Levi Called

|| Matthew 9:9-12;[1] Mark 2:13-17[2]

LK5:27 Now later Jesus went out and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the tax office. Jesus said to him: “Follow me.” LK5:28 So Levi rose, and leaving everything behind,[3] he followed Jesus. LK5:29 Then Levi arranged a great banquet for Jesus in his own home, and so there was a large crowd of tax collectors and others reclining at the meal with them. LK5:30 But the Pharisees and Bible Copyists began to murmur against the disciples of Jesus, saying: “Why are you all eating and drinking with tax collectors and sinners?” LK5:31 So Jesus answered and said to them: “The healthy do not need a physician[4] but the sick do. LK5:32 I have not come to call righteous persons[5] to repentance but rather sinners.”

[1] Matthew 9:9-12: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

[2] Mark 2:13-17: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Mark.

[3] Left everything behind: May we think this included money?

[4] Physician: We can imagine Luke particularly interested in this statement. [Matthew 9:12; Mark 2:17]

[5] Righteous persons: Or, law-abiding persons. As opposed to law-breakers.

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Preceding

1. Luke 5 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 5:1-11 – Fishermen Follow Jesus
2. Luke 5 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 5:12-16 – Healing a Leper and Then Privacy
3. Luke 5 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 5:17-26 – Who Can Forgive Sins?
4. Matthew 9:9-13 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Pharisees Accuse When Matthew Is Called
5. Matthew 9:9-13 – What others are saying about Jesus’ attitude and tax collectors
6. Mark 2 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 2:13-17 – Accused of Associating With Sinners