Matthew 9:9

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 9:9 records the pivotal moment when Jesus calls Matthew, a tax collector, to follow Him. This seemingly simple command, issued as Jesus passed by Matthew's tax booth, results in Matthew's immediate and profound abandonment of his lucrative yet socially despised profession to become a disciple. The verse highlights Jesus' sovereign authority, His inclusive grace extended to the marginalized, and the transformative power of a genuine call to discipleship, setting the stage for further demonstrations of His mission to save sinners.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Jesus' powerful demonstration of authority in healing the paralytic and forgiving his sins in [Matthew 9:1-8](/matthew/9-1-8 "Matthew 9:1-8 - Healing the Paralytic"). The preceding narrative emphasizes Jesus' divine power over sickness and sin, establishing His credentials before He extends His call to a man considered a notorious sinner by society. The call of Matthew then naturally leads into the subsequent narrative of Jesus eating with tax collectors and sinners, prompting the Pharisees' criticism and Jesus' declaration that He came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance, as seen in [Matthew 9:10-13](/matthew/9-10-13 "Matthew 9:10-13 - Jesus Eats with Sinners"). This sequence underscores a central theme of Matthew's Gospel: the kingdom of God is open to all, especially those traditionally excluded.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Matthew, also known as Levi (as recorded in [Mark 2:14](/mark/2-14 "Mark 2:14 - Call of Levi") and [Luke 5:27](/luke/5-27 "Luke 5:27 - Call of Levi")), was a *telōnēs* or "publican," a tax collector for the Roman government. This profession was deeply reviled by the Jewish people for several reasons. Tax collectors were often Jews who collaborated with the occupying Roman forces, making them seen as traitors. They also frequently engaged in extortion, collecting more than the required tax and pocketing the difference, which further cemented their reputation for dishonesty and greed. Matthew's "receipt of custom" (Greek: *telōnion*) was his tax booth, likely situated in Capernaum, a significant trade hub on the Via Maris, making it a strategic location for collecting customs duties on goods transported across borders or along trade routes. His social standing was among the lowest, often grouped with prostitutes and notorious sinners.
* **Key Themes:** The calling of Matthew in this verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Matthew's Gospel. It powerfully illustrates **The Radical Call to Discipleship**, demonstrating that Jesus' invitation to "Follow me" demands an immediate and complete reorientation of one's life, transcending social status, past occupation, or personal gain. This act also highlights **God's Inclusive Grace**, as Jesus deliberately reaches out to someone from the fringes of society, a public sinner in the eyes of the religious establishment, foreshadowing His explicit mission to call sinners, not the righteous, as stated in [Matthew 9:13](/matthew/9-13 "Matthew 9:13 - Jesus Calls Sinners"). Furthermore, Matthew's immediate and unquestioning obedience underscores **Jesus' Compelling Authority**, revealing that His word carries inherent power that elicits an instant, transformative response without lengthy persuasion. Finally, Matthew's abandonment of his tax booth for a new life with Christ signifies **Transformation and New Identity**, a profound change from a despised figure to a foundational apostle and the probable author of this very Gospel.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **saw (Greek, _eídō'_):** This primary verb, used here in the aorist tense (G1492), signifies not merely a casual glance but a perceptive act of seeing, often implying understanding or recognition. Jesus "saw" Matthew with divine insight, recognizing his potential for discipleship despite his outward profession and social standing. It implies a knowing gaze that penetrated Matthew's circumstances to his heart.
* **receipt of custom (Greek, _telṓnion'_):** This neuter noun (G5058) specifically refers to a tax-gatherer's place of business or booth. It represents Matthew's entire livelihood, his social identity, and his connection to the corrupt Roman system. Sitting "at the receipt of custom" encapsulates his public persona as a despised publican, making Jesus' call directly to him in this context all the more striking.
* **Follow (Greek, _akolouthéō'_):** Derived from a word meaning "to be in the same way with" (G190), this verb is an imperative, a direct command. It means to accompany, specifically as a disciple. In the context of rabbinical teaching, "following" a rabbi meant not just physical proximity but adherence to his teachings and way of life. Jesus' command is a concise, authoritative summons to an intimate relationship and a new way of life, requiring complete allegiance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ And as Jesus passed forth from thence,"**: This opening clause establishes the immediate setting and action. Jesus is moving from the location of His previous miracle (healing the paralytic in a house in Capernaum), indicating His active ministry and purposeful movement. The transition from "thence" implies a public space, likely near the bustling market or port area of Capernaum, where tax booths would be located.
* **"he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom:"**: Here, Jesus' divine initiative is highlighted. He *sees* Matthew, not by chance, but with intentionality. Matthew is depicted in his professional context, "sitting at the receipt of custom," signifying his active engagement in his despised work. This detail underscores the stark contrast between Matthew's current life and the radical change about to occur. The naming of Matthew is significant, as this is the only Gospel account that names him as Matthew at the point of his call, emphasizing his identity as the future evangelist.
* **"and he saith unto him, ‹Follow me.›"**: This is the core of the verse – Jesus' direct, simple, yet profoundly authoritative command. The imperative "Follow me" (Greek: *akolouthéō moi*) is not a suggestion but a summons that demands a decisive response. It encapsulates the essence of discipleship: a personal invitation from Jesus to abandon one's former life and align completely with His person and mission.
* **"And he arose, and followed him."**: Matthew's immediate and unhesitating response is crucial. "He arose" signifies a physical departure from his tax booth and, symbolically, from his old life and identity. "And followed him" denotes not just physical accompaniment but a commitment to Jesus' way and teachings. This swift obedience demonstrates the compelling power of Jesus' call and Matthew's radical willingness to surrender everything for Christ.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of Matthew's call is characterized by **Conciseness** and **Directness**. The account is remarkably brief, presenting the call and response without elaborate dialogue or internal monologues, emphasizing the immediate and unmediated power of Jesus' word. This brevity highlights the **Authority** of Jesus, whose simple command elicits instant obedience. There is also a powerful sense of **Contrast** and **Irony** at play: Jesus, the Holy Son of God, calls a tax collector, a figure of impurity and exploitation, into His inner circle. This subverts societal expectations and religious norms, foreshadowing Jesus' mission to call sinners. The "receipt of custom" serves as a potent **Symbolism**, representing Matthew's old life, his worldly attachments, and his social standing. His act of "arising" from it and "following" Jesus symbolizes a complete break with his past and the embrace of a new identity and purpose in Christ.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The calling of Matthew stands as a profound theological statement about the nature of God's grace and the radical demands of discipleship. It reveals that Jesus' kingdom is not exclusive to the outwardly righteous but extends to those considered outcasts and sinners, demonstrating His mission to seek and save the lost. This divine initiative underscores that salvation is not earned through human merit or social standing, but is a gift freely offered through a personal invitation from Christ. Matthew's immediate and costly obedience serves as a paradigm for true discipleship, where one's past profession, social status, or material possessions are willingly surrendered for the sake of following Jesus. It highlights the transformative power of encountering Christ, which redefines identity and purpose, moving individuals from a life of self-interest to one dedicated to the Lord's will.

* [Matthew 4:19](/matthew/4-19 "Matthew 4:19 - Jesus Calls Peter and Andrew")
* [Luke 5:27-28](/luke/5-27-28 "Luke 5:27-28 - Levi's Call and Immediate Response")
* [Matthew 9:13](/matthew/9-13 "Matthew 9:13 - Jesus' Mission to Call Sinners")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew's call serves as a powerful and enduring invitation for all who hear Jesus' voice. His story reminds us that Jesus sees beyond our professions, our past mistakes, and our societal labels, looking instead at the heart and its potential for transformation. Just as Matthew left his lucrative but despised life, we are called to evaluate what "receipt of custom" we might be clinging to—whether it be a career, social status, personal habits, or even deeply ingrained comfort zones—that hinders our full and unreserved commitment to Christ. Matthew's immediate and decisive response challenges us to consider the authenticity of our own discipleship: are we willing to rise and follow without hesitation, surrendering our agenda for the Lord's? This narrative also encourages us to extend the same grace and invitation to others, recognizing that Jesus came to call all sinners to repentance, regardless of their background or reputation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "receipt of custom" in my life might Jesus be calling me to leave behind today?**
* **Am I willing to respond to Jesus' call with the same immediate and radical obedience that Matthew demonstrated?**
* **How does Matthew's story challenge my perceptions of who is worthy of God's grace and invitation to discipleship?**
* **In what ways can I demonstrate Jesus' inclusive love and call to those on the fringes of society or my own community?**

### FAQ

**Why was Matthew's profession as a tax collector so controversial among the Jews?**

Answer: Matthew's profession as a tax collector (publican) was deeply controversial and despised among Jews primarily for two reasons. First, tax collectors were seen as collaborators with the Roman occupying power, making them traitors to their own people and to God's covenant with Israel. They collected taxes for a foreign, pagan government that oppressed their nation. Second, they were notorious for corruption and extortion. While a fixed amount was due to Rome, tax collectors often bid for the right to collect taxes in a certain area and then charged the people more than was legally required, pocketing the surplus for themselves. This made them wealthy at the expense of their fellow Jews, compounding their reputation for dishonesty and greed. Consequently, they were often ostracized from religious and social life, considered unclean and lumped together with "sinners" and prostitutes, as seen in [Matthew 9:10-11](/matthew/9-10-11 "Matthew 9:10-11 - Jesus Eats with Tax Collectors and Sinners").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The call of Matthew in [Matthew 9:9](/matthew/9-9 "Matthew 9:9 - Jesus Calls Matthew") finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is the embodiment of God's radical grace and the definitive Caller of His people. Matthew's immediate abandonment of his former life to "follow" Jesus foreshadows the broader call to all humanity to forsake the kingdom of this world and enter the kingdom of God, a kingdom established and inaugurated by Christ Himself. Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, calls His sheep by name, and they "follow him, for they know his voice" as described in [John 10:27](/john/10-27 "John 10:27 - My Sheep Hear My Voice"). Matthew's willingness to leave behind a life of worldly gain and social stigma for an unknown future with Jesus perfectly illustrates the principle that "whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ," as articulated by Paul in [Philippians 3:7](/philippians/3-7 "Philippians 3:7 - Paul Counts All as Loss for Christ"). Christ's call is not merely an invitation to a new ethical system or a set of rules, but a summons to a transformative relationship with the living Lord, who Himself embodies the very path we are to follow. His cross and resurrection are the ultimate "receipt of custom" paid, redeeming us from the bondage of sin and enabling us to rise from our old lives and follow Him into eternal life, fixing our eyes on "Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith" as encouraged in [Hebrews 12:2](/hebrew/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Looking to Jesus").

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 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,