Mark 2:13-17
The text before us records the calling of Levi, a dinner at the house of Levi which Jesus attended, a statement of disapproval by the scribes and Pharisees, and Jesus’ response to the criticism of the scribes and Pharisees. These verses reveal much concerning God’s ways.
“And he went forth again by the sea side . . .” (v. 13). The scene is at the sea of Galilee. It was at the sea of Galilee that Jesus called Peter, Andrew, James and John to follow Him. Prior to the calling of Levi (Matthew), but after the calling of His first disciples, Jesus preached and taught throughout Galilee (Mk. 1:39). Isaiah prophesied that Jesus’ ministry should begin in Galilee (Isa. 9:1-2). Jesus was the great light which would come forth from Zebulun and Naphtali.
“. . . the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them” (v. 13). The manner in which Jesus taught at this time did not include use of parables. That which Jesus taught in His early ministry is preserved in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5, 6 and 7). The people flocked to Jesus because He taught as one who had authority (Mk. 1:22) and cast out unclean spirits(Mk. 1:27).
“. . . he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom” (v. 14). Levi and Matthew are one and the same. Both the gospel of Mark and the gospel of Luke, record the calling of Levi and later, refer to him as Matthew (Mk. 3:18, Lk. 6:15). Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter (meaning a stone). Many scholars believe that Jesus changed Levi’s name to Matthew (meaning gift of Jehovah). Matthew, in his gospel, makes no mention of his old name and uses his new name in referring to his calling.
Jesus said, “Follow me” and Levi arose and followed Him (v. 14). There is no previous mention of any interaction of Levi with Jesus in New Testament scripture. The detailed record of the Sermon on the Mount in the gospel of Matthew is cause for one to assume that Levi was a firsthand witness to Jesus’ teachings before the Lord called him (Levi) to follow Him. While we cannot be certain of what Levi knew when Jesus’ called him, we know that Jesus knew the thoughts of men before they spoke (see Mark 2:8). Jesus chose Levi because He knew that Levi would choose to follow Him. Jesus knew that Levi would cast aside the security of his employment as a publican and follow Him. Levi was not looking for financial security; he was looking to the coming of the Promised One.
“And it came to pass . . .” (v. 15). The dinner at the house of Levi might be described as a going-away party. It is likely that a week or two passed between his being called and the dinner. The dinner guests were Levi’s friends and acquaintances along with Jesus and His followers. Levi’s friends and acquaintances included fellow publicans. Publicans had a bad reputation. They were known to extract more tax revenue from the populace than required. Other than fellow publicans, friends of publicans were few.
“And when the scribes and Pharisees saw . . .” (v. 16). The scribes and Pharisees were watching Jesus. Why? John the Baptist had put them on notice. John had announced that one would come who was mightier than him (John), one who would baptize with the Holy Ghost (Mk. 1:7-8). John baptized in the wilderness and preached the baptism of repentance (Mk. 1:4). New Testament believers know that John was the voice crying in the wilderness of whom Isaiah prophesied (Isa. 40:3). We know that John was called to proclaim the coming of the Messiah. The scribes and Pharisees were cognizant of Isaiah’s prophecy. They entertained the possibility that John could be the voice and that Jesus could be the prophesied Messiah. However, when they saw that Jesus dined with publicans and sinners, they ruled out that Jesus could be the Promised One. In their eyes, Jesus lacked the righteousness which they had assigned to one who would be sent from God. The scribes and Pharisees erred because they ignored other prophecy which God spoke through Isaiah. In Isaiah 53, the Holy Spirit moved Isaiah to declare: “. . . when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him . . . we esteemed him not” (Isa. 53:2-3). In rejecting Jesus, the scribes and Pharisees fulfilled the words of this prophecy.
In verse 17, Jesus directly addressed the issue of righteousness. “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” The Son came to fulfill the Father’s will. The Son did not come to satisfy an array of constraints that men perceived to be righteous. New Testament believers know that righteousness is a gift which God gives to all who call upon the name of Jesus, believing that He has satisfied our every failing. It is a gift that cannot be received unless one repents of his efforts to justify himself.
The scribes and Pharisees were well learned in the scriptures. They were not ignorant of Psalm 53:3 — “Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” The Pharisees perceived themselves to be righteous. They perceived themselves to be an exception to God’s word. They had gone back. They trusted in their own ways. They had become filthy. They were in great need of repentance. Jesus came to call sinners to repentance, even those who deemed themselves to be righteous.
The scribes were tasked with preserving the scriptures. They were well-studied in the traditions of Judaism but not endued with knowledge from the Holy Spirit that the Prophet like unto Moses (Deut. 18:18), God’s righteous servant who would justify many (Isa. 53:11), and the promised son of David (Jer. 23:5) are the same and are Christ Jesus. The Comforter (the Holy Spirit) imparts knowledge hidden from the eyes of men.
The Son came to fulfill the Father’s will. It is His will that all should come to repentance (II Pet. 3:9).
