13 And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them. 14 And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphæus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him. 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. 16 And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners? 17 When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. (Mark 2:13-17 KJV)
Jesus Calls Levi and Eats With Sinners
Christ preached by the sea (Mark 2:13), where he went for more space, since no house or street could hold the crowd. On the shore, as many as wanted could gather. This suggests that our Lord Jesus had a strong voice and spoke loudly, for wisdom cries out in public places. Wherever he went—even the seaside—crowds followed him. Wherever Christ’s doctrine is faithfully preached, even in hidden or remote places, we must follow it.
He called Levi, also known as Matthew, who worked in the custom-house at Capernaum and was known as a tax collector. His post was by the sea, and Christ went there to meet him and give him an effective call. This Levi is said to be the son of Alpheus or Cleophas, husband to Mary, a close relative of the Virgin Mary. If so, he was the brother of James the Less, Jude, and Simon the Canaanite—four brothers who became apostles. Matthew was likely a wayward young man, or else, being a Jew, he wouldn’t have become a publican. Yet Christ called him to follow.
Paul, though a Pharisee, had been a chief sinner, yet was called to be an apostle. With God, through Christ, there is mercy to pardon great sins and grace to transform great sinners. Matthew, once a tax collector, became an evangelist, the first to write the life of Christ. Great sin before conversion doesn’t disqualify one from great grace or future usefulness—God may be even more glorified. Christ called him before Matthew even sought him. In physical healings, people came to Christ; in spiritual ones, he often came to them. This shows the deep danger of sin—it blinds people to their need for healing.
Christ dined with tax collectors and sinners (Mark 2:15). He was in Levi’s house, who invited him and his disciples to a farewell meal for his friends, celebrating his decision to follow Christ. Like Elisha (1 Kings 19:21), Levi’s feast showed both joy and gratitude—he left everything with thanksgiving to God. It was also a sign of his respect for Christ, who had rescued him like a brand from the fire. Many tax collectors and sinners joined them (there were many from that custom-house), and they followed him. Some think they followed Levi, who may have been wealthy and influential. But more likely, they followed Jesus because of what they had heard about him.
These tax collectors might have come out of curiosity to Levi’s feast, where they sat with Jesus and his disciples. Tax collectors were often grouped with the worst sinners. (1) Because many in that profession were corrupt, oppressive, greedy, and dishonest (Luke 3:13-14). Honest tax collectors were so rare that in Rome, a man named Sabinus, known for integrity in that job, was honored with the epitaph: “Here lies an honest publican.” (2) Because Jews hated the job itself, seeing it as a sign of Roman oppression. It was seen as shameful even to associate with such people. Yet our Lord, when he came in the likeness of sinful flesh, chose to spend time with them.
The scribes and Pharisees were offended by this (Mark 2:16). They wouldn’t come to hear him preach—though it could have helped them—but they came to watch him dine with sinners, just to be critical. They tried to turn his disciples against him, suggesting that such behavior didn’t suit someone of holiness. So they asked, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” Even things done well and with good intent can be misrepresented and used to attack good people.
Jesus defended himself (Mark 2:17). He didn’t back down, even though the Pharisees were offended, unlike Peter later (Galatians 2:12). Those too worried about their reputations may avoid doing good works. But Christ didn’t. The Pharisees saw tax collectors as people to hate. “No,” said Christ, “they are sick and need a doctor; they are sinners, and need a Savior.” They thought Christ’s holiness should separate him from such people. “No,” he said, “my mission leads me to them. I didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
If the world were righteous, there’d be no need for Christ to preach repentance or secure forgiveness. But the world is sinful, and so his work is with sinners. Or put another way, “I’m not here for those who think they are righteous—like you Pharisees, who ask, ‘Why do we need to repent?’ (Malachi 3:7)—but for those who know they’re sinners and are glad to be called to repentance.” It’s easier to work with those who are humble and aware of their need. There’s more hope for a fool than for someone wise in their own eyes (Proverbs 26:12).