What is the meaning of 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. (Matthew 9:9 KJV)

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 ASV)

And Jesus, passing on thence, saw a man sitting at the tax-office, called Matthew, and says to him, Follow me. And he rose up and followed him. (Matthew 9:9 DBY)

As Jesus passed by from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax collection office. He said to him, “Follow me.” He got up and followed him. (Matthew 9:9 WEB)

And Jesus passing by thence, saw a man sitting at the tax-office, named Matthew, and saith to him, `Be following me,’ and he, having risen, did follow him. (Matthew 9:9 YLT)

Interlinear

And as <kai> Jesus <Iesous> passed forth <parago> from thence, <ekeithen> he saw <eido> a man, <anthropos> named <lego> Matthew, <Matthaios> sitting <kathemai> at <epi> the receipt of custom: <telonion> and <kai> he saith <lego> unto him, <autos> Follow <akoloutheo> me. <moi> And <kai> he arose, <anistemi> and followed <akoloutheo> him. <autos> (Matthew 9:9 KJV)

Albert Barnes’ Commentary

Verse 9.  Sitting at the receipt of custom. That is, at the place where custom, or tribute, was received; or, in other words, he was a publican, or tax-gatherer. See Barnes for Mt 5:47. This man was Matthew, the writer of this gospel. The same account is found in Mr 2:14; Lu 5:27-28. Both those evangelists call him Levi. That it was the same man is known by the circumstances in which he was called being the same in all the evangelists, and by all concurring in the statement that our Saviour was present at a feast soon after he called him, and by the fact that Levi is not mentioned in the catalogue of the apostles. The Jews were in the habit of giving several names to the same person. Thus Peter was also called Simon and Cephas. It is worthy of remark, that Luke has mentioned a circumstance favourable to Matthew, which Matthew himself has omitted. Luke says, “he left all.” Had Matthew said this, it would have been a commendation of himself, utterly unlike the evangelists. No men were ever farther from praising themselves than they were. 

{s} “And as Jesus passed” Mr 2:14; Lu 5:27

Adam Clarke’s Commentary

Verse 9. Named Matthew] Generally supposed to be the same who wrote this history of our blessed Lord.  Mathai signifies a gift in Syriac; probably so named by his parents as implying a gift from God.  

The receipt of custom] The custom-house, telwnion-the place where the taxes levied by the Romans of the Jews, were collected.  

Follow me.] That is, become my disciple.

And he arose, and followed him.] How blessed it is to be obedient to the first call of Christ-how much happiness and glory are lost by delays, though conversion at last may have taken place!