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 2:14 KJV)
And as he passed by, he saw Levi the [son] of Alphaeus sitting at the place of toll, and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him. (Mark 2:14 ASV)
And passing by, he saw Levi the [son] of Alphaeus sitting at the tax-office, and says to him, Follow me. And he rose up and followed him. (Mark 2:14 DBY)
As he passed by, he saw Levi, the son of Alphaeus, sitting at the tax office, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he arose and followed him. (Mark 2:14 WEB)
and passing by, he saw Levi of Alpheus sitting at the tax-office, and saith to him, `Be following me,’ and he, having risen, did follow him. (Mark 2:14 YLT)
Interlinear
And <kai> as he passed by, <parago> he saw <eido> Levi <Leuis> the son of Alphaeus <Alphaios> sitting <kathemai> at <epi> the receipt of custom, <telonion> and <kai> said <lego> unto him, <autos> Follow <akoloutheo> me. <moi> And <kai> he arose <anistemi> and followed <akoloutheo> him. <autos> (Mark 2:14 KJV)
Albert Barnes’ Commentary
Verse 14. Levi the son of Alpheus. The same, undoubtedly, as Matthew the writer of the Gospel. It was not uncommon among the Jews to have two names.
The receipt of custom. See Barnes for Mt 9:9.
{l} “And as” Mt 9:9
{1} “sitting at” or, “at the place where the custom was received”
Robertson’s NT Word Picture
And as he passed by (kai paragôn). Present participle active, was passing by. Jesus was constantly on the alert for opportunities to do good. An unlikely specimen was Levi (Matthew), son of Alpheus, sitting at the toll-gate (telônion) on the Great West Road from Damascus to the Mediterranean. He was a publican (telônês) who collected toll for Herod Antipas. The Jews hated or despised these publicans and classed them with sinners (hamartôloi). The challenge of Jesus was sudden and sharp, but Levi (Matthew) was ready to respond at once. He had heard of Jesus and quickly decided. Great decisions are often made on a moment’s notice. Levi is a fine object lesson for businessmen who put off service to Christ to carry on their business.