Mark 2:15

"As he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax office. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he arose and followed him."

Key Reflection

This encounter symbolizes Jesus' call to repentance and service. By choosing a tax collector, a notorious sinner in Jewish society, Jesus challenges the religious elite's exclusivity and demonstrates that repentance leads to spiritual transformation and discipleship.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verse 15. Sat at meat in his house. The words "at meat" are not in the original. The phrase means, as he reclined at his meal "--or "as he was eating." This feast was made by Matthew, in honour of the Saviour. See Lu 5:29. Publicans. See Barnes "Mt 5:47". Sinners. Sinners of abandoned character--of the same character that publicans commonly sustained--fit companions of publicans--great sinners. There were many. That is, many disciples. Their following him, leaving their homes, and going with him from place to place, was proof of their attachment to him, There is no doubt that our Saviour, in the early part of his ministry, was extremely popular.

Related Verses

More from Mark 2

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29

Go deeper with Bible.talk - your AI Bible study companion