Luke 5:28

And he left all, rose up, and followed him.

And {G2532} he left {G2641} all {G537}, rose up {G450}, and followed {G190} him {G846}.

He got up, left everything and followed him.

and Levi got up, left everything, and followed Him.

And he forsook all, and rose up and followed him.

Luke 5:28 vividly captures the immediate and profound response of Levi, also known as Matthew, to Jesus' call. This verse marks a pivotal moment in the life of a man who would become one of Christ's twelve apostles and the author of the first Gospel.

Context of Luke 5:28

Before this verse, Jesus had called several fishermen—Simon Peter, James, and John—to follow Him. Immediately preceding Luke 5:28, in Luke 5:27, Jesus sees Levi, a tax collector, sitting at the receipt of custom. Tax collectors (publicans) were generally despised by the Jewish people. They were often corrupt, collaborating with the Roman occupiers and extorting more than was due. For Jesus to call such a person to be His disciple was radical and counter-cultural, highlighting His mission to save all, not just the outwardly righteous.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Radical Discipleship and Sacrifice: Levi's action of "left all" signifies a complete abandonment of his former life. For a tax collector, "all" meant a lucrative, albeit socially scorned, profession. This immediate and total surrender underscores the demanding nature of true discipleship, which often requires significant personal sacrifice and a reordering of priorities.
  • Immediate Obedience: The phrase "rose up, and followed him" emphasizes the promptness and decisiveness of Levi's response. There was no hesitation, no negotiation, but an instant willingness to leave everything and commit to Jesus. This serves as a powerful example of faith and obedience.
  • Jesus' Inclusivity and Transformative Power: Jesus' call to Levi demonstrates His willingness to reach out to anyone, regardless of their social standing or past sins. This act foreshadows Jesus' later interactions with other marginalized groups and highlights His power to transform lives, turning a despised tax collector into a devoted follower and evangelist. This theme is further explored in Luke 5:30, where the Pharisees grumble about Jesus eating with sinners.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek phrase for "left all" is apheis panta (ἀφεὶς πάντα). Apheis means "having left," "having let go," or "having abandoned," and panta means "all things." This emphasizes the comprehensive nature of Levi's abandonment. It wasn't a partial departure or a temporary leave of absence; it was a complete and decisive break from his past life and livelihood, signifying an absolute commitment to his new path with Jesus.

Practical Application

Luke 5:28 challenges believers today to examine their own response to Jesus' call. Are we willing to "leave all" that hinders our full devotion to Christ? This might not mean abandoning a literal profession for everyone, but it certainly implies prioritizing God above worldly possessions, ambitions, and comforts. The verse encourages immediate obedience when God calls, trusting that following Jesus is the most rewarding path, even if it demands sacrifice. It reminds us that our past does not disqualify us from God's service; rather, His grace is powerful enough to transform anyone who responds in faith.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Luke 5:11

    And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

  • Matthew 19:22

    But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

  • Matthew 19:27

    Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?

  • Luke 9:59

    And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

  • Luke 9:62

    And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

  • 1 Kings 19:19

    ¶ So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who [was] plowing [with] twelve yoke [of oxen] before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him.

  • 1 Kings 19:21

    And he returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him.

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