Tax Collectors and Sinners

Study of Mark 2:13-17. Part 2 of 4

Links to all 4 parts of the study of Mark 2 will be listed at the end of this devotion so you can read them all. In all devotions click the verses written in bold and underlined. A box will pop up with the scripture for you to read.

Jesus went out from Capernaum to “the lake” otherwise known as the Sea of Galilee. This was the same location where the first disciples Simon Peter and Andrew were called by Jesus to follow Him Mark 1:16. Here in Mark 2:13 we read where Jesus was teaching a large crowd and it kept growing larger. Here and throughout the book of Mark we begin to see a recurring pattern of withdrawal by Jesus from preaching in populous centers. Mark 1:35; Mark 3:7; Mark 3:13; Mark 4:1; Mark 5:21. 

Capernaum was a customs post on the caravan route from Damascus to the Mediterranean Sea. Jesus likely encountered Levi at a tax booth along this major trade route. As Jesus passed by He saw a man named Levi (later called Matthew) who was a Jewish tax official serving under Herod Antipas that ruled Galilee at this time. Levi was the son of Alphaecus and a descendant from the Tribe of Levi. James is also recorded as being the son of Alphaecus but there is no biblical reference to them being brothers. Maybe the men were two different fathers with the same name. No way to know for certain. The Levites were to be priests according to the Old Testament law and would have received tax money from the other Tribes to support themselves. Instead of justly collecting taxes in the support of God’s ministry Levi was collecting taxes in service to the Romans. This would have been seen by the Jewish as a huge betrayal and he would have been disliked by his own people. Tax Collectors were considered the lowest of the low. They were corrupt and were known to skim off the top for themselves out of the taxes they collected. 

Jesus Dined With Sinners

These officials were despised by the Jews and yet Jesus extended to Levi the gracious call to follow Him and leave his old life behind. Matthew believed and followed Jesus. After the conversion of Levi he was then called Matthew as his Apostolic name. The name Matthew meant “Gift of God” and could have came from the greek word Mathetes which translates as “disciple”. In Mark 2:15-16 Levi/Matthew gave a dinner for Jesus and His disciples. This is also the first time in Mark that the distinct group is referred to as “disciples”. Mark includes his editorial comment explaining that there were many disciples who followed Jesus, not just the five mentioned so far in the gospel of Mark. Levi/Matthew invited his former associates (tax collectors) Commonly called “sinners” by the Pharisees. Perhaps to share with them about his new found revelation. Similar to how we felt when we first got saved. We were so excited to share Jesus with others. Imagine being able to invite people to come and dine with Jesus in person. 

The Pharisees were the most influential religious party in Palestine and they were deeply devoted to the Mosaic law. They were meticulous about maintaining ceremonial purity Mark 7:1-5. They criticized Jesus for failing to observe their pious distinction between “the righteous“ and “the sinners”. Jesus answered their criticism with a well known Proverb and a statement of His mission which vindicated His conduct. The term “righteous” ironically is used by those who saw themselves as such. Luke 16:14-15. Jesus came into this world to call sinners, those who humbly acknowledge their need to receive His gracious forgiveness to God’s Kingdom. This is why Jesus ate with sinners. Mark 2:5-11; Mark 2:19-20. 

Study of Mark Chapter 2: Links below

Part 1 of 4 Mark 2:1-12 Jesus & The Paralyzed Man

https://enbcfamily.com/church-blog/daily-devotion/daily-devotion-january-26-2025/

Part 2 of 4 Mark 13-17 Tax Collector and Sinners Study 

https://enbcfamily.com/church-blog/daily-devotion/daily-devotion-january-27-2025/

Part 3 of 4 Mark 18-22 Biblical Reasons For Fasting

https://enbcfamily.com/church-blog/daily-devotion/daily-devotion-january-28-2025/

Part 4 of 4 Mark 23-27 Lord Of The Sabbath

Coming January 29th