Mark 2:14, commentary and pictures

As He passed by, Jesus saw Levi the son of Alphaeus, also known as Matthew, a Jewish tax collector and publican, sitting at work at the receipt of custom or toll booth. His tax station stood in a busy street among townspeople near a stone gateway and adjoining buildings, with crowds, veiled figures, and loaded pack animals around him. His fellow Jews despised him as a tax collector and traitor, because collecting tribute for Rome recalled their loss of independence and taking the post was regarded as dishonoring his people.

Though despised, his heart was open to truth, for he had heard Jesus teach, felt convicted of his sin, and wanted help, but did not expect Jesus to notice him. By saying Follow me Jesus honored a hated publican and called him to become one of His disciples, ignoring Jewish prejudice and tradition against mingling with publicans and offending religious, social, and national customs, which displayed His great influence over the people. Levi arose and followed at once without hesitation and with joy, leaving his profitable business though he was wealthy, willing to sacrifice all in order to be with Jesus, hear His words, and join His work.

His response shows what the call does, for it breaks the world's hold so that greed and ambition leave the heart and the person is freed to follow the Saviour. After his call Matthew was anxious for his many friends, acquaintances, and relatives to become followers and to meet Jesus, certain they would be charmed by His pure and simple doctrine taught without ostentation or display, so he made a feast at his own house in Jesus' honor and called them together, including a number of publicans, and Jesus with His disciples accepted the invitation and graced the banquet with His presence. At the feast Jesus welcomed people whom others despised, His kindness affirmed their human dignity and His words awakened hope for a new life, His former associates were drawn to Him, some who first heard Him there later became gospel messengers, and Matthew himself became a devoted evangelist who followed Jesus' example.

Honoring Matthew enraged the envious scribes and Pharisees beyond bounds, and though ever watching Jesus they refused to acknowledge Him as Messiah and would accept none of His teachings, did not lose this opportunity to seek to condemn His cause, and openly attacked the disciples by accusing them of eating with publicans and sinners. The call shows Jesus came to call sinners to repentance, so anyone who recognizes that he is a sinner is among those He came to save. The same call still takes people away from business such as farms, trade, or other occupations and sends them to warn the world. The verse belongs to a chapter about the Sabbath in which the scribes and Pharisees charge Jesus with transgressing the Sabbath, though He is the Lord who made the Sabbath, and their charge shows blindness.