Luke 5:27-32

Applebury's Comments

Jesus Called Levi the Publican
Scripture

Luke 5:27-32 And after these things he went forth, and beheld a publican, named Levi, sitting at the place of toll, and said unto him, Follow me. 28 And he forsook all, and rose up and followed him.

29 And Levi made him a great feast in his house: and there was a great multitude of publicans and of others that were sitting at meat with them. 30 And the Pharisees and their scribes murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with the publicans and sinners? 31 And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are in health have no need of a physician; but they that are sick. 32 I am not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.

Comments

a publican, named Levi.His other name was Matthew (Matthew 9:9). In His public ministry, Jesus came into contact with all classes of people, including Pharisees and their scribes, and publicans. Tax collectors and sinners were usually classed together, for as a group the publicans abused their offices. There is no indication that Matthew did. Jesus evidently selected men to be apostles because of their ability to carry out the task He had for them. Matthew, as one used to keeping records, had the talent and training that could be put to use as the Holy Spirit used him to write the Gospel According to Matthew. He must have been a man of influence, for a great crowd of publicans and others attended the feast he gave in honor of Jesus.

Others such as Roman and Jewish rulers, officers of the Roman army, Gentiles, Samaritans, rich and poor were attracted to Jesus. He came to save the lost, and they were found among all classes.

Follow me.Levi's immediate response leaves us wondering if he had known Jesus before this time. We have no way of knowing many things that would be of interest, although not necessary to the understanding of the gospel story, It is possible that this was the very first time he had seen Jesus. If so, it indicates the remarkable power of Jesus to influence men. But through the ages men have been willing to leave all and follow Him.

And Levi made him a great feast.Luke says that a great multitude of publicans and others were present. Matthew says that many publicans and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and His disciples (Matthew 9:10). Luke also shows that the Pharisees asked the disciples this question: Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?

Levi used the occasion as an opportunity to present Jesus to his associates, Every follower of Jesus would do well to follow this example. Every member of the church is to be an evangelist and help in the total work of the church by seeking to save the lost.

And Jesus answering.Jesus had the answer for His critics. The healthy need no physician. Of course, the complainers looked upon themselves as spiritually healthyrighteous. But they were wrong about themselves and wrong about condemning the Great Physician who ministered to the sick in soul as well as body. Jesus said, I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Some of them were the worst sort of sinners, but as long as they thought of themselves as righteous, nothing could be done for them.