Keraia
Mark 2

Mark 2:15

Jesus Calls Levi · Mark 2:13–17
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Translations

Modern
While Jesus was dining at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with Him and His disciples—for there were many who followed Him.
Traditional
And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him.
Literal
And it came to pass, in His reclining in his house, that many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many, and they were following Him.
Latin
Et factum est, cum accumberet in domo illius, multi publicani et peccatores simul discumbebant cum Jesu et discipulis ejus: erant enim multi, qui et sequebantur eum.

Original

Greek
English
While Jesus was dining at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with Him and His disciples—for there were many who followed Him.

Notes

Mark 2:13–15

  • Levi was also called Matthew (see Matthew 9:9–10). Certain people are known by two names in the New Testament (for example, Simon is also called Peter; Saul is also called Paul; Judas son of James is also called Thaddaeus, see study note on Mark 3:18).

  • This type of tax collector (Greek telōnēs) collected sales taxes, customs, and road tolls, unlike those who collected the poll tax (12:14). Other Jews disliked local tax collectors like Levi because they often charged the public more than they owed (Luke 19:8). As agents of the Romans, the Jews considered them to be traitors. Jesus invited Levi, a tax collector, to follow him, joining Peter, Andrew, James, and John (Mark 1:16–20).

Mark 2:13–17

This controversy is about Jesus spending time with sinners who had a bad reputation, such as tax collectors, and eating with them.

Mark 2:1–3:6

Five controversy stories (2:1–12, 13–17, 18–22, 23–28; 3:1–6) are grouped together because they share a common theme. Each story shows a conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders. In these accounts, Jesus says or does things that challenge their beliefs and practices. These stories show the great authority that Jesus has.

Theme notes and profiles

Matthew (Levi) Following Jesus

Events

Parallels

Matthew 9:9–13 Luke 5:27–32

People

Jesus: The Son of God and Savior of the world

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Gospel Judaism Mark, Gospel of Miracle Tax Collector

Topics

Jesus, the Christ: Eats with Tax Collectors and Sinners, and Discourses on Fasting (Capernaum) Jesus, the Christ: Mission of Jesus, the Christ: Received Matthew: Becomes a Disciple of Jesus Publicans: Many of Attended the Preaching of Christ