Luke 5:27 - Printer Friendly

ESV: After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, "Follow me."

NIV: After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. "Follow me," Jesus said to him,

NASB: After that He went out and looked at a tax collector named Levi sitting in the tax office, and He said to him, 'Follow Me.'

CSB: After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the tax office, and he said to him, "Follow me."

NLT: Later, as Jesus left the town, he saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at his tax collector’s booth. 'Follow me and be my disciple,' Jesus said to him.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: After these things He went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.”

Jesus' choice of fishermen for His first four disciples was unique (Luke 5:1–11). They were uneducated and, if Peter's reaction is any indication, did not enjoy especially holy lifestyles (Luke 5:8). Jesus is more interested in humility and the willingness to repent than holiness; if they come, He'll provide all the righteousness they need.

Even so, to choose a tax collector is a bold move. Tax collectors were typically Jews—or at least locals—employed by the Romans to collect funds from the people. Basically, they took money from their countrymen to cover the expenses of the foreigners who occupied their territory and ruled over them. Not only did the Romans pay tax collectors well, the Romans did not care if the collectors took more than the tax required. They were free to take as much as they could for themselves—once the Romans had been paid.

The Greek terminology indicates Levi is a low-level tax collector. He's not a chief like Zacchaeus (Luke 19:2); he likely collects tolls along the road along the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. Yet he would still have been seen as a state-sponsored thief who socialized with the fringe of respectable society. When Jesus walks along the Sea (Mark 2:13–14), He sees Levi. That is, Jesus intentionally focuses on this man. He doesn't pass Levi by out of disgust or ignore him out of pride. Then, Jesus calls him to be publicly identified with Him. This is great for Levi, now the disciple of a rabbi who is well-respected by the people. But it can only hurt Jesus' reputation with the religious leaders (Luke 5:30).

This is the second of three times Luke describes Jesus' calls of His twelve closest disciples (Luke 5:1–11; 6:12–16). When the group is settled, Jesus will call crowds to a more general followership (Luke 6:46–49; 8:4–21) and then challenge the Twelve to a deeper commitment (Luke 9:18–50).

Some versions, including the King James, uses "publican" instead of tax-collector. "Publican" is a translation of the Greek word for "tax-farmer."

Levi—Matthew—has been the subject of much speculation. Fictionalized accounts of the New Testament have suggested he may have been on the autism spectrum. This is not impossible, but there is no indication that the historical Levi actually was in such a category.

Luke 5:27–28 describes the second time Jesus calls a disciple. As with the fishermen, Jesus calls Levi at work. The choice is controversial, since tax-collectors were deeply despised. These were typically Israelites who worked for the occupying Romans. The nature of the job lent itself to corruption, so tax collectors often cheated to their own advantage. Jesus dives deeper into controversy by eating with Levi and other "sinners" and rejecting the traditional religious fasts (Luke 5:29–39). Jesus' calls identify His followers (Luke 5:1–11; 6:12–16). His controversies identify His enemies (Luke 5:17–26, 5:29—6:11). Matthew 9:9 identifies Levi as Matthew; Mark 2:13–14 describes him as the son of Alphaeus.

Luke 5 continues Jesus' Galilean Ministry (Luke 4:14—9:50). The passage alternates calls to discipleship with miracles and teachings which demonstrate what discipleship entails. Jesus calls Peter, Andrew, and their business partners, James and John, to follow Him and make more disciples. Then Jesus makes a man with leprosy ceremonially clean. He forgives the sins of a paralytic. After He calls Levi to follow Him, Jesus celebrates instead of fasting. This draws critical questions from the crowd. The religious leaders consider Jesus' actions blasphemous. His message of forgiveness, faith, and repentance cannot be contained by their tradition.

Jesus has already proved He can expel demons, heal ailments, and reveal the kingdom of God (Luke 4:31–44). In this chapter, He begins to separate His followers from His detractors. This begins with calling the first five disciples and emphasizing faith and repentance over religious tradition. He will drive home the point by treating the Sabbath as a blessing rather than a burden (Luke 6:1–11). After formally inviting the Twelve to follow Him, Jesus will explain to a crowd what discipleship looks like and invite them to build their lives on Him (Luke 6:12–49). In chapter 7, Jesus champions Gentiles and the marginalized.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.