Mark 2:14

And as he passed by, he saw Levi the [son] of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.

And {G2532} as he passed by {G3855}, he saw {G1492} Levi {G3018} the son of Alphaeus {G256} sitting {G2521} at {G1909} the receipt of custom {G5058}, and {G2532} said {G3004} unto him {G846}, Follow {G190} me {G3427}. And {G2532} he arose {G450} and followed {G190} him {G846}.

As he passed on from there, he saw Levi Ben-Halfai sitting in his tax-collection booth and said to him, "Follow me!" And he got up and followed him.

As He was walking along, He saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth. “Follow Me,” He told him, and Levi got up and followed Him.

And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphæus sitting at the place of toll, and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.

Commentary

Mark 2:14 recounts a pivotal moment in Jesus's early ministry: the calling of Levi, also known as Matthew, to be one of His disciples. This verse highlights Jesus's radical approach to discipleship, extending His invitation to those considered outcasts by society.

Context

This event immediately follows the dramatic healing of a paralytic and Jesus's bold declaration of His authority to forgive sins (Mark 2:10), which provoked controversy among the religious leaders. Jesus then passes by a tax booth, a "receipt of custom," where He encounters Levi. Tax collectors, often called publicans, were deeply scorned by Jewish society. They were seen as traitors for collaborating with the Roman occupying forces and were notorious for corruption, often extorting more money than required. By calling Levi, Jesus deliberately challenges the social and religious norms of His day. This account is also paralleled in Matthew 9:9 and Luke 5:27.

Key Themes

  • Jesus's Radical Inclusivity: Jesus demonstrates His mission is not confined to the religiously righteous or socially acceptable. He actively seeks out and calls those on the margins, underscoring that His message of salvation and repentance is for sinners.
  • The Authority of Jesus's Call: With a simple command, "Follow me," Jesus exercises profound authority. His words carry transformative power, prompting an immediate and decisive response from Levi. This mirrors the calling of other disciples like Peter, Andrew, James, and John.
  • Immediate Obedience and Discipleship: Levi's response is swift and unconditional: "And he arose and followed him." This immediate obedience is a hallmark of true discipleship, signifying a willingness to leave behind one's former life and embrace a new path with Christ.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "receipt of custom" translates the Greek word telonion, which literally refers to a tax house or tax office. This term clearly identifies Levi's profession as a tax collector, emphasizing his social standing and the perceived unworthiness of his occupation in the eyes of many. The simplicity of Jesus's command, "Follow me" (Greek: Akoloúthei moi), highlights the direct and personal nature of His invitation to discipleship.

Practical Application

This verse offers powerful encouragement for a general audience today. It reminds us that:

  • No one is beyond God's reach: Jesus's call extends to all, regardless of their past mistakes, social status, or perceived unworthiness. God sees potential and value where others might only see sin or societal labels.
  • Obedience is key to transformation: Like Levi, we are called to an immediate and active response to Jesus's invitation. True faith involves not just belief but also a commitment to follow Him wholeheartedly.
  • Jesus values individuals: He didn't call Levi based on his qualifications, but on His sovereign choice and desire to redeem and use him for His kingdom. This speaks to the personal and intimate nature of God's relationship with humanity.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Luke 5:27

    ¶ And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me.

  • Luke 5:32

    I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

  • Luke 6:15

    Matthew and Thomas, James the [son] of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes,

  • Mark 1:17

    And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.

  • Mark 1:20

    And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.

  • Matthew 4:19

    And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

  • Matthew 4:22

    And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.
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