Mark 2:15-17

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 2:13-22

Fasting. "By the sea side" the great Teacher is heard by a listening multitude. Then passing near "the place of toll, his eye fell upon Levi, son of Alphseus," whose service he imperatively claims. Levi, already called to be a disciple, now called to be an apostle, with much sacrifice arises to follow his Lord and Master to the end, so teaching for all future apostles and servants that the claims of the kingdom of Heaven stand first in importance, and must first be met. The simple, brief,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 2:13-22

Parallel passages: Matthew 9:9-17 ; Luke 5:27-39 .— Call of Levi, Feasting, and Fasting. I. THE CALL OF LEVI . 1 . Publicans , who were they ? The publicans proper, who paid a certain sum contracted for into the public treasury ( publicum ), were Roman knights, a wealthy class of citizens. These, again, had their agents who sublet, or acted as their owngents in subletting, the collection of the taxes, usually to natives of the country from which the taxes... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 2:14-15

Levi's call from dishonor to discipleship. All the sacred Scriptures serve to show that God's redemption is meant for those who are conscious of their sin, however grievous have been their offenses. Promises prove this. Isaiah's description of a people whose head was faint and whose heart was sick is followed by the invitation, "Come now, and let us reason together," etc., and this is intensified by the gracious words of Christ, "Come unto me, all ye that labour," etc. Facts suggest... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 2:15

And it came to pass — ἐγένετο seems the best reading— as he was sitting at meat in his house . This was the house of Matthew. St. Matthew ( Matthew 9:10 ) modestly says, "in the house," keeping himself as much as possible in the background. St. Luke, with greater fullness, says ( Luke 5:29 ) that "Levi made him a great feast in his house." From this it appears that Matthew at once marked the occasion of his call by inviting his associates, publicans and sinners, that they too,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 2:15-22

Matthew's house. I. THE SOCIALITY OF JESUS . He was found at ordinary dinner-parties and entertainments throughout his course, and to the last. He was a contrast in this to the ascetic Baptist. He was found in " questionable " company. But the company of Pharisees would have been as " questionable. " With a clear conscience a man may go into the miscellany of people called " society. " A free and open manner is certain to bring remark and censure upon him. But better to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 2:16

According to the most approved readings, this verse should run thus: And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with the sinners and publicans, said unto his disciples, He eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners. The words "publicans and sinners" are thus inverted in their order in the two clauses, as though they were convertible terms. Of course, the scribes and Pharisees had not sat down at this feast, but some of them had probably found their way into the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 2:17

Jesus heard their murmurings, and his answer was, They that are whole have no need of a physician, but they that are sick . As the physician is not infected by the disease of the patient, but rather overcomes it and drives it from him, so it is no disgrace but rather an honor to the physician to associate himself with the sick, and so much the more, the greater the sickness. So that it is as though Christ said, "I who am sent from heaven by the Father, that I might be the Physician of the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Mark 2:15

Sat at meat in the house - The words “at meat” are not in the original. The phrase means “as he reclined at his meal,” or “as he was eating.” This feast was made by Matthew in honor of the Saviour. See Luke 5:29.Publicans - See the notes at Matthew 5:47.Sinners - Sinners of abandoned character - of the same character that publicans commonly sustained - fit companions of publicans - great sinners.There were many - That is, many “disciples.” Their following him, leaving their homes, and going... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Mark 2:16-17

See the notes at Matthew 9:12-13. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Mark 2:13-17

Mark 2:13-17. And all the multitude resorted unto him Namely, by the sea-side. And he taught them As readily there as if he had been in a synagogue. And as he passed by he saw Levi, that is, Matthew, sitting, &c. See on Matthew 9:9-13. Many publicans and sinners sat with Jesus Some of them, doubtless, invited by Matthew, moved with compassion for his old companions in sin. But the next words, For they were many, and they followed him, seem to imply that the greater part,... read more

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