MPV Commentary

The Call of Matthew (Mt 9:9).

Jesus continued on from Capernaum, near the Sea of Galilee, where he had just healed a paralytic man. Mark provides more detail about this scene, noting that Jesus went out by the seaside and taught the crowds who gathered around him (Mr 2:13). As he passed by, he saw Matthew, the writer of this Gospel, sitting at his post as a tax collector.

Matthew was known by two names: Levi, which seems to have been his family name, and Matthew, which was likely his name among his disciples. While he doesn't mention his family name in this account, he does highlight his occupation as a tax collector, emphasizing the contrast between his old life and his new calling as an apostle (see Mt 10:3). Mark notes that Matthew was the son of Alphæus, who may have been the same man as James' father. It's likely that Matthew had heard about Jesus before this meeting.

Matthew was sitting at the toll booth or tax collection office by the seaside, where he collected taxes for people and goods crossing the lake (see Mt 5:46). Jesus called out to him, saying, "Follow me" – words that would have a profound impact on Matthew's life. Matthew immediately left his post and followed Jesus.

The Feast (Mt 9:10-13).

As Jesus sat down to eat in someone's house, he was joined by many tax collectors and sinners who had come with him and his disciples. Luke notes that Levi made a great feast for Jesus, but Matthew simply says they were eating together (Lu 5:29). It's possible that this feast took place later, after Jesus' return from the country of the Gadarenes.

The visit of Jairus, the synagogue ruler, occurred at this time, according to Matthew (Mt 9:18), but Mark and Luke indicate it happened later. It's likely that the feast was held when Matthew had become more established in his faith and wanted to share Jesus' teachings with his old friends and acquaintances.

Many tax collectors and sinners came to join Jesus and his disciples, reclining at table as was customary in ancient times (Lu 5:29). The Pharisees and scribes saw this and questioned Jesus' disciples about it. They asked why Jesus would eat with such people.

When Jesus heard their question, he replied that those who are well don't need a doctor, but the sick do. In other words, his mission was not to the self-righteous, but to those who were spiritually ill. He ate with tax collectors and sinners because they needed healing and restoration.

Jesus then quoted Hosea 6:6, saying, "I desire mercy, not sacrifice." This meant that he valued compassion and kindness over strict adherence to rules and rituals. The Pharisees had misunderstood this principle, using it as an excuse to avoid interacting with those who were spiritually lost. Jesus came to call sinners to repentance, not the self-righteous, who were already whole in their own eyes.