Category:Recruiting the Tax Collector (subject)

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Recruiting the Tax Collector is an episode in the Ministry of Jesus. The episode is narrated in the Gospels of Mark (2:13–17), Matthew (9:9-13), and Luke (5:27-32).


Overview

In Mark and Luke the name of the tax collector was Levi. Mark adds that he was "the son of Alphaeus." In the Gospel of Matthew the tax collector is named Matthew. The banquet offered by the tax collector gave Jesus the opportunity for a teaching about forgiveness of sins. Jesus claimed to be the doctor sent to the "sick."

The narrative has many similarities with the Call of Zacchaeus in the Gospel of Luke.

Recruiting the Tax Collector in ancient sources

Gospel of Mark

...-> Preaching Tour -> Cleansing a Leper -> Paralytic at Capernaum -> Recruiting the Tax Collector -> Question about Fasting -> Lord of the Sabbath -> Man with a Withered Hand ->...

Mark 2:13–17 (NRSV) -- [13] Jesus went out again beside the sea; the whole crowd gathered around him, and he taught them. [14] As he was walking along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him. [15] And as he sat at dinner in Levi's house, many tax collectors and sinners were also sitting with Jesus and his disciples--for there were many who followed him. 16 When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, they said to his disciples, "Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?" [17] When Jesus heard this, he said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners."

Gospel of Matthew

Matthew 9:9-13 (NRSV) -- [9] As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him. [10] And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. [11] When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" [12] But when he heard this, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. [13] Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners."

Gospel of Luke

Luke 5:27-32 (NRSV) -- [27] After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, "Follow me." [28] And he got up, left everything, and followed him. [29] Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house; and there was a large crowd of tax collectors and others sitting at the table with them. [30] The Pharisees and their scribes were complaining to his disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?" [31] Jesus answered, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; [32] I have come to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance."

Recruiting the Tax Collector in Scholarship

Recruiting the Tax Collector, in the arts

External links

  • [ Wikipedia]