Luke 5:29

KJV

And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} Levi {G3018} made {G4160} him {G846} a great {G3173} feast {G1403} in {G1722} his own {G846} house {G3614}: and {G2532} there was {G2258} a great {G4183} company {G3793} of publicans {G5057} and {G2532} of others {G243} that {G3739} sat down {G2258}{G2621} with {G3326} them {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Levi gave a banquet at his house in Yeshua's honor, and there was a large group of tax-collectors and others at the table with them.

Berean Standard Bible

Then Levi hosted a great banquet for Jesus at his house. A large crowd of tax collectors was there, along with others who were eating with them.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 5:29 captures a momentous occasion following Jesus' call of Levi (also known as Matthew), the tax collector. In an act of profound gratitude and public declaration of his new allegiance, Levi hosts a lavish feast in his own home, inviting a large assembly of his former colleagues—fellow publicans and other societal outcasts. This gathering serves as a powerful demonstration of Jesus' radical inclusivity and His mission to actively seek out and fellowship with those traditionally marginalized by religious and social norms.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Jesus' direct and transformative call to Levi in [Luke 5:27](/luke/5-27 "Luke 5:27 - Jesus Calls Levi"). Levi's immediate and radical response, leaving everything to follow Jesus, is highlighted in [Luke 5:28](/luke/5-28 "Luke 5:28 - Levi's Immediate Response"). The feast described in [Luke 5:29](/luke/5-29 "Luke 5:29 - Levi's Great Feast") is Levi's spontaneous act of celebration and gratitude, serving as a bridge to the subsequent conflict with the Pharisees and scribes regarding Jesus' association with "sinners" and His declaration that He came "not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance" ([Luke 5:30-32](/luke/5-30-32 "Luke 5:30-32 - Jesus Explains His Mission")). This entire sequence underscores the nature of true discipleship and the expansive reach of God's grace.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Jewish society, tax collectors (publicans) were among the most despised individuals. They were considered traitors for collaborating with the Roman occupying power and were notorious for their corruption, often extorting more than the required taxes for personal gain. Their profession rendered them ritually unclean, and they were socially ostracized, often grouped with other "sinners" like prostitutes. Righteous Jews would avoid contact with them to maintain ritual purity and social standing. Therefore, Levi's decision to host Jesus, and Jesus' willingness to recline at table with such a company, was a profoundly counter-cultural and scandalous act in the eyes of the religious elite.

* **Key Themes:** [Luke 5:29](/luke/5-29 "Luke 5:29 - Levi's Great Feast") powerfully illustrates several core themes within Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it showcases **Radical Conversion and Gratitude**, as Levi's immediate and lavish response to Jesus' call demonstrates a profound, life-altering transformation and an overflowing thankfulness. Secondly, it highlights **Jesus' Inclusive Mission**, demonstrating His deliberate association with the marginalized and outcast, challenging the prevailing social and religious barriers of His day. This act foreshadows the universal scope of the Gospel, extending salvation beyond the self-righteous to all who recognize their need for a Savior, as Jesus later articulates in [Luke 5:32](/luke/5-32 "Luke 5:32 - Jesus Calls Sinners to Repentance"). Finally, the feast underscores the theme of **Hospitality and Fellowship**, showing how a personal home can become a sacred space for spiritual encounter and the spread of the Kingdom of God, inviting those on the fringes into a new community.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **feast (Greek, _dochḗ_):** From G1403, meaning "a reception, i.e. convivial entertainment." Levi's "great feast" was not merely a meal but a significant social event, a public demonstration of honor and celebration. It suggests a generous, perhaps even extravagant, gathering, indicative of Levi's profound gratitude and desire to introduce his new Lord to his old associates. This term emphasizes the celebratory and welcoming nature of the event.
* **publicans (Greek, _telṓnēs_):** From G5057, meaning "a tax-farmer, i.e. collector of public revenue." This term specifically identifies Levi's former profession and the company he kept. The inclusion of "publicans" in the guest list is highly significant, as these individuals were considered social pariahs and ritually unclean by the religious establishment. Their presence highlights Jesus' deliberate association with those deemed "sinners."
* **sat down (Greek, _katákeimai_):** From G2621, meaning "to lie down, i.e. (by implication) be sick; specially, to recline at a meal." This word describes the customary posture for eating a formal meal in the ancient Near East, where guests would recline on couches around a low table. The act of "sitting down" or reclining with someone implied intimate fellowship and acceptance. For Jesus to recline with publicans and "others" was a powerful statement of His acceptance and willingness to share life with them, a direct challenge to the strict social separation practiced by the Pharisees.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Levi made him a great feast in his own house:"** This clause highlights Levi's immediate and generous response to Jesus' call. The "great feast" (G3173 _mégas_ for "great" and G1403 _dochḗ_ for "feast") signifies not just a meal, but a significant, perhaps lavish, celebration. Hosting it "in his own house" (G3614 _oikía_) implies a personal, intimate setting and a public declaration of his newfound allegiance to Jesus. It was an act of profound gratitude and a way to introduce Jesus to his social circle.
* **"and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them."** This second clause reveals the controversial nature of the gathering. The "great company" (G4183 _polýs_ for "great" and G3793 _óchlos_ for "company" or "throng") indicates a substantial number of guests. Crucially, these guests included "publicans" (G5057 _telṓnēs_), Levi's former colleagues, who were despised tax collectors, and "others" (G243 _állos_), often understood as "sinners" or those considered morally lax by society. The phrase "sat down with them" (G2621 _katákeimai_ for "sat down" and G3326 _metá_ for "with") emphasizes the intimate fellowship Jesus shared with these outcasts, a direct challenge to the prevailing social and religious norms that advocated separation from such individuals.

#### Literary Devices
Luke's narrative in [Luke 5:29](/luke/5-29 "Luke 5:29 - Levi's Great Feast") employs several powerful literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as a despised tax collector, traditionally viewed as a "siner," becomes the host of the Messiah, and his home, usually a place of ill-gotten gains, becomes a venue for divine fellowship. This subverts societal expectations and highlights God's unconventional methods. **Symbolism** is also at play; the "great feast" itself symbolizes the joy of conversion and the celebratory nature of the Kingdom of God, which welcomes all. Furthermore, Jesus' willingness to "sit down" or recline with publicans and sinners is a powerful **symbolic act** of acceptance and inclusion, directly contrasting with the exclusionary practices of the religious elite. This scene also sets up a dramatic **contrast** between the rigid legalism of the Pharisees (who will soon object in [Luke 5:30](/luke/5-30 "Luke 5:30 - Pharisees Question Jesus")) and Jesus' radical grace and mission to the lost.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 5:29 is a pivotal moment that vividly illustrates the heart of Jesus' mission: to bring salvation and fellowship to those whom society had cast aside. Levi's feast is a microcosm of the Kingdom of God, where the marginalized are welcomed and celebrated. It underscores the profound truth that God's grace extends to all, regardless of their past sins or social standing. This event challenges the human tendency to create exclusive religious communities and reminds believers that true faith leads to an open-hearted, inclusive approach to evangelism and fellowship, mirroring Christ's own example. The joy and gratitude expressed by Levi, and the willingness of Jesus to engage with those considered "unclean," foreshadow the universal invitation to the eschatological banquet where all nations will gather.

* [Matthew 9:10-13](/matthew/9-10-13 "Matthew 9:10-13 - Jesus Eats with Sinners")
* [Mark 2:15-17](/mark/2-15-17 "Mark 2:15-17 - Jesus Calls Sinners")
* [Luke 15:1-2](/luke/15-1-2 "Luke 15:1-2 - Jesus Welcomes Sinners")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Levi's feast serves as a powerful reminder for believers today. His immediate and generous response to Jesus' call, culminating in a celebration that included his former associates, challenges us to consider the depth of our own gratitude for salvation. Are we willing to openly declare our allegiance to Christ, even if it means inviting Him into the "messy" parts of our lives and introducing Him to those in our social circles who might be considered "unworthy" by others? This passage calls us to embrace Jesus' radical inclusivity, breaking down social and spiritual barriers to share the Gospel. It prompts us to examine our own prejudices and to actively seek out and welcome those on the margins, remembering that Christ came for the sick, not the healthy. Our homes, our lives, and our churches should be places where grace abounds, and where all are invited to encounter the transformative power of Jesus.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Levi's immediate and radical response to Jesus' call challenge my own commitment and priorities?**
* **In what ways might I be inadvertently creating social or spiritual barriers that prevent others from encountering Christ's inclusive love?**
* **Who are the "publicans and sinners" in my life or community that Jesus would call me to engage with, and how can I extend Christ's hospitality to them?**
* **What does Levi's act of hosting a "great feast" teach me about expressing gratitude for my salvation and sharing it with others?**

### FAQ
**Who was Levi, and why was his feast significant?**

Answer: Levi is also known as Matthew, one of Jesus' twelve disciples. Before his call, he was a tax collector (a publican), a profession deeply despised by Jews due to their collaboration with Roman occupiers and reputation for corruption. His feast was significant for several reasons: it was a public declaration of his immediate and profound gratitude and allegiance to Jesus; it brought Jesus into direct contact with a "great company" of other tax collectors and "sinners," demonstrating Jesus' mission to the marginalized; and it served as a catalyst for the Pharisees' criticism of Jesus, which Jesus then used as an opportunity to explain His purpose: "I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance" ([Luke 5:32](/luke/5-32 "Luke 5:32 - Jesus' Mission to Sinners")).

**Why was Jesus' willingness to eat with publicans and "others" so controversial?**

Answer: In first-century Jewish society, sharing a meal was an act of intimate fellowship and acceptance. For a rabbi or a righteous person to eat with tax collectors and "sinners" was considered scandalous and ritually defiling. The religious leaders, particularly the Pharisees, believed that associating with such individuals would compromise their own purity and holiness. Jesus' actions directly challenged these rigid social and religious norms, demonstrating that His priority was not ritual purity or social status, but the spiritual healing and salvation of those who recognized their need for Him. This is further elaborated in [Luke 15:1-2](/luke/15-1-2 "Luke 15:1-2 - Jesus Welcomes Sinners"), where Jesus is criticized for welcoming and eating with sinners.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 5:29, describing Levi's great feast for Jesus and his fellow outcasts, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. This gathering is a tangible prefigurement of the ultimate banquet of salvation, where Christ, the Son of Man, comes not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many ([Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve")). Levi, a representative of those deemed utterly unworthy by society, hosts the very One who would bear the sins of the world, demonstrating that no one is beyond the reach of God's grace. Jesus' willingness to recline at table with publicans and "sinners" foreshadows His ultimate act of reconciliation on the cross, bridging the chasm between a holy God and sinful humanity ([2 Corinthians 5:18-19](/2_corinthians/5-18-19 "2 Corinthians 5:18-19 - God Reconciling the World to Himself")). This feast is a living parable of the Kingdom of God, where the King Himself dines with those He came to save, inviting them into intimate fellowship. It points forward to the heavenly wedding feast of the Lamb, where all who are called will partake in eternal communion with God through Christ ([Revelation 19:9](/revelation/19-9 "Revelation 19:9 - The Wedding Supper of the Lamb")). Thus, Levi's table becomes a powerful symbol of Christ's inclusive love, His atoning sacrifice, and the joyous fellowship awaiting all who respond to His call.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 15:1

¶ Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.

1 Corinthians 5:9

¶ I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:

1 Corinthians 5:11

But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.

John 12:2

There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.

Matthew 9:10

And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.

Mark 2:15

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.

1 Corinthians 10:27

If any of them that believe not bid you [to a feast], and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.