Matthew 9:9

¶ And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.

And as {G2532} Jesus {G2424} passed forth {G3855} from thence {G1564}, he saw {G1492} a man {G444}, named {G3004} Matthew {G3156}, sitting {G2521} at {G1909} the receipt of custom {G5058}: and {G2532} he saith {G3004} unto him {G846}, Follow {G190} me {G3427}. And {G2532} he arose {G450}, and followed {G190} him {G846}.

As Yeshua passed on from there he spotted a tax-collector named Mattityahu sitting in his collection booth. He said to him, "Follow me!" and he got up and followed him.

As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax booth. “Follow Me,” He told him, and Matthew got up and followed Him.

And as Jesus passed by from thence, he saw a man, called Matthew, sitting at the place of toll: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.

Matthew 9:9 presents a pivotal moment in the life of one of Jesus' most significant disciples, Matthew, the author of this Gospel. It describes Jesus' simple, direct call to a man engaged in a highly unpopular profession, leading to an immediate and profound transformation.

Context

This verse immediately follows Jesus' powerful demonstration of authority in healing the paralytic and forgiving his sins (Matthew 9:1-8). Jesus is likely in Capernaum, a bustling town on the Sea of Galilee, which served as a center for trade and, consequently, tax collection. Matthew, also known as Levi (as in Luke 5:27), was a "publican," or tax collector. This was one of the most despised professions among Jews, as they were often seen as traitors who collaborated with the Roman occupiers and frequently extorted money from their own people for personal gain. Matthew's "receipt of custom" was his tax booth, a place of business and a symbol of his social standing.

Key Themes

  • The Radical Call to Discipleship: Jesus' command, "Follow me," is a simple yet profound invitation to abandon one's current life and align with His mission. It is a call to relationship and purpose that transcends social status or past occupation.
  • Grace Over Legalism: Jesus deliberately calls someone from the fringes of society, a sinner in the eyes of the religious establishment. This act foreshadows Jesus' later statement in this chapter about His mission to call sinners, not the righteous (Matthew 9:13). It highlights God's inclusive grace.
  • Jesus' Authority: The immediate and unquestioning obedience of Matthew demonstrates the compelling authority of Jesus' word. He doesn't offer a lengthy persuasion but a direct command, which Matthew instantly heeds.
  • Transformation and New Identity: Matthew's immediate response signifies a profound change. He leaves behind a lucrative but socially condemned life to embrace a new identity as a follower of Christ, becoming one of the twelve apostles and the probable author of this Gospel.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek phrase for "Follow me" is Akolaouthei moi (ἀκολούθει μοι), an imperative verb that signifies not just physical following, but also adherence to one's teachings and way of life. Its directness and simplicity reflect the common method of rabbinical calls to discipleship in that era, though with Jesus, the call carries divine authority.

Related Scriptures

This call echoes similar invitations Jesus extended to other disciples, such as Peter and Andrew by the Sea of Galilee, whom He called to become "fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19). Matthew's response of immediately rising and following is a testament to the transformative power of Jesus' presence and word, often requiring disciples to "forsake all" (Luke 14:33) to truly follow Him.

Practical Application

Matthew's story is a powerful reminder that Jesus calls people from all walks of life, regardless of their past or present circumstances. His call is personal and transformative. For us today, this verse invites us to consider:

  • Are we willing to leave behind whatever hinders our full commitment to Christ, whether it be a career, social standing, or personal habits?
  • Do we recognize Jesus' authority in our lives, leading to immediate and willing obedience?
  • Do we extend the same grace and invitation to others, recognizing that Jesus came to call sinners to repentance?

Matthew's immediate response illustrates that true discipleship is marked by a willingness to surrender one's own agenda for the Lord's.

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 5:27

    ¶ 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 5:38

    But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved.

  • 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.

  • Mark 2:22

    And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.

  • Luke 19:2

    And, behold, [there was] a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.

  • Luke 19:10

    For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

  • Mark 3:18

    And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the [son] of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite,

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