Luke 5:27

Luke 5:27 describes a pivotal moment in Jesus' early ministry: His call of Levi, a tax collector, to be one of His disciples. This event immediately follows the miraculous healing of the paralytic (Luke 5:17-26), demonstrating Jesus' authority over sickness and sin, and now, His authority to call anyone He chooses into His service.

Historical and Cultural Context

The individual called "Levi" in Luke's Gospel is also known as Matthew in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark. Publicans, or tax collectors, were a deeply despised class in Jewish society during Roman occupation. They were often Jewish collaborators who collected taxes for the Roman Empire, frequently extorting extra money for themselves. Their profession made them ceremonially unclean and socially ostracized, viewed as traitors and sinners. For Jesus to call someone like Levi, who was "sitting at the receipt of custom," a place of public scorn, was a radical act that challenged the societal norms and religious prejudices of the day. This act underscored Jesus' mission to reach out to the marginalized and those considered "unworthy."

Key Themes and Messages

• Unconventional Discipleship Call: Unlike the fishermen called earlier (Luke 5:10-11), Levi was not a religious leader or a fisherman, but a publican. This highlights Jesus' broad and inclusive invitation to follow Him, regardless of social standing or past profession.
• Jesus' Authority: The simple, direct command, "Follow me," demonstrates Jesus' inherent authority. It was not an invitation for discussion but a divine summons that required immediate obedience. This echoes His authority seen in previous miracles, such as forgiving sins and healing the paralytic.
• Radical Inclusion: Jesus consistently reached out to those on the fringes of society. His call to Levi, a publican, foreshadows His ministry among "sinners" and the marginalized, emphasizing that His Kingdom is open to all who respond to His call, not just the outwardly righteous (Luke 5:32).

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "publican" is telōnēs (τελώνης), referring to a tax collector or customs collector. The phrase "receipt of custom" (τὸ τελώνιον, to telōnion) refers to the tax booth or customs house where taxes were collected. The direct command "Follow me" is Akoulouhthei moi (Ἀκολούθει μοι), an imperative that implies immediate and continuous adherence, signifying a call to discipleship and a complete reorientation of life.

Practical Application

Levi's immediate response to Jesus' call serves as a powerful example for believers today. It teaches us that:

• God's Call is Inclusive: No one is beyond the reach of God's grace or His call to service, regardless of their past or present occupation.
• Discipleship Requires Response: Jesus' call demands a decisive and often immediate response, involving leaving behind former ways of life to embrace a new path with Him. Levi left his profitable, albeit despised, career to follow Jesus, demonstrating true commitment. His subsequent actions, including hosting a feast for Jesus (Luke 5:29), further illustrate his immediate and joyful conversion.
• Jesus Sees Beyond Labels: Jesus saw Levi not as a despised tax collector, but as a potential disciple. This reminds us to look beyond societal labels and see individuals as God sees them, with potential for transformation.