COMMENTARY ON MARK
LESSON NUMBER 22
“ Mark 2:13 And He went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto Him, and He taught them. 14 And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow Me. And he arose and followed him. 15 And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and His disciples: for there were many, and they followed Him.” (Mark 2:13-15)
THE CALLING OF MATTHEW
INTRODUCTION
The views of Jesus and His activities, that are provided in the Gospels, accent His commitment to doing God’s will, or being about His “Father’s business.” Where He went, and what He did, were always related to His mission – to lay down His life, and take it up again (John 10:17-18). His marvelous works would come to light upon the completion of that mission. They would assist us in understanding His Person and the “great salvation” He accomplished, and is presently administrating. When, for example, He called people, it was always in view of what He was doing, and never in view of what they were doing. Jesus did not come to assist men in their various projects, but to call them into involvement with Himself. This perception is essential to the understanding of redemption. There remains in men the inveterate tendency to view their own objectives as primary – but they are not. From the heavenly point of view there is only one valid will – “that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Rom 12:2). It is only as man’s will is in synch with that will that it has any validity before God. It is only in this context that grace and faith have any effectiveness. “Grace through faith” only works within the perimeter of God’s will.
THE RESORTING MULTITUDE IS TAUGHT BY JESUS
“ 2:13 And He went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto Him, and He taught them.”
HE WENT FORTH AGAIN. Upon the healing of the palsied man, the people remarked, “We never saw it on this fashion” (2:13). Matthew says “the multitude saw it, they marveled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men” (Matt 9:8). Luke says they “glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things today” (Lk 5:26). Jesus was anything but ordinary, and both His words and His works attested to this. Among a deeply religious people, here was a Man that broke the ranks of the customary, setting before the people both words and works to which they had never before been subjected. The people He helped were unable to help themselves. He never became a part of what anyone else was doing. Of even more interest, is the fact that He never capitalized upon men’s attraction to Himself. Our text is a case in point.
Jesus did not set up shop, so to speak, in the house of Simon, making it His headquarters. Instead, He leaves the house and once again goes by the sea side. Matthew says, “He passed on from there,” as though perceiving the locus for God’s works was moving to another place. This Divine mobility was revealed to Ezekiel in a vision. He saw the throne of God positioned on wheels that freely moved in all directions. The wheels moved wherever the Spirit “was to go,” freely and without restraint (Ezek 1:16-21). The Throne of God, or the manner of Divine rule, is revealed in the earthly ministry of Jesus – moving about wherever He desired, fulfilling the will of God, and with the Spirit of God on Him.
The Lord one again walks along the “sea side.” That is where He called Simon and Andrew (1:17) and James and John (1:20). Later, from a ship, He will teach a multitude that stood upon the shore, delivering the parable of the Sower (4:1-3). It seems appropriate that He who brought the “living water” (John 4:10-11) should often speak near a body of water.
THE RESORTING MULTITUDE. “All the multitude came to Him,” NKJV pressing to see and hear Him. What a glorious picture of the drawing power of Jesus! The people were being introduced to the manner of the New Covenant. Speaking of “the day of salvation,” Isaiah said, “all nations shall flow into it” (Isa 2:2). He also said of Jesus, the Lord’s Ensign, “to Him shall the Gentiles seek” (Isa 11:10). Jeremiah said the people would “come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together” (Jer 31:12). Speaking of “the throne of the Lord,” as revealed in redemption, Jeremiah also said, “all nations shall be gathered unto it” (Jer 3:17). Micah prophesied, “and people shall flow into it” (Mic 4:1). Zechariah foretold, “many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day” (Zech 2:11). Jacob declared, “and unto Him shall the gathering of the people be” (Gen 49:10). David foretold, “All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn unto the Lord” (Psa 22:27). And again, “Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God” (Psa 68:31).
Of old time, the people of God were summoned by a trumpet (Num 10:4; Jer 4:5; 6:1). A sound pierced the air, interrupting the people, and alerting them to the need to come together. However, this is not the manner of the New Covenant. Now, it is the Savior Himself who draws the people by what He says and does. This kind of drawing began with John the Baptist, who was preparing the way of the Lord. The people came to him from every quarter – a phenomenon among men, indeed (Matt 3:5; Mk 1:5). When Jesus began His ministry, this kind of activity picked up, with “multitudes” following Him (Mk 1:45; 3:7,20,32; Matt 4:25; 8:1,18; 12:15; 13:2; 15:13; 19:2; 20:29; John 6:2).
Today religious marketing and promotion are in vogue. Men are taught to conduct surveys, study statistics, and tailor their gatherings to be appealing to supposed seekers. But you will find no such direction from the Lord or His Apostles. It is Jesus Himself that is the “drawing card.” The gathering of the people is to Him, not to an institution, not to entertainment, and not to some form of amusement or pleasure. Jesus did not teach His disciples to “catch men” Lk 5:10) by a technique or a promotional campaign. It is Jesus’ separateness from the world order and obvious connection with the God of heaven that draws sensitive and discerning hearts. This is being lived out in our text.
HE TAUGHT THEM. Jesus did not conduct a praise service – although that was an area of expertise for Him (Heb 2:12). He did not entertain them with slight of hand, or set them to laughing with humorous anecdotes. He “taught them” of God, His purpose, and the coming salvation. The Spirit frequently makes a point of Christ’s teaching (Matt 4:23; 5:2; 7:29; 9:35; 13:54; 21:23; Mk 1:21-22; 2:13; 4:2; 6:6; 9:31; 10:1; 11:17). Make no mistake about this, those who come to Jesus will be “taught by Him” (Eph 4:21). They will “learn from Him” (Matt 11:29). Those who have no love for truth will not come to Jesus!
THE CALLING OF LEVI, SON OF ALPHAEUS
“ 14 And as He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow Me. And he arose and followed Him.”
AS HE PASSED BY. As Jesus is walking along the sea side, He will observe the people that are in that vicinity – as He did when He called Simon, Andrew, James, and John. We will never be submitted to a Jesus who is unaware of what and who is around Him! He is ever alert, beholding and discerning the people who have been brought within His reach. For those with tender hearts, this is a comforting thought.
HE SAW LEVI. This is Matthew, and he is so called in the gospel account written by himself (Matt 9:9). Luke also refers to him as “Levi” (Lk 5:27). Mark and Luke are the only ones who refer to him by the name “Levi” – and then, only in regard to this text. Otherwise he is consistently known as “Matthew” (Matt 9:9; Mk 3:18; Lk 6:15; Acts 1:13), one of the twelve Apostles. The name “Levi” means “joined,” and “Matthew” means “gift of Jehovah.”
We are told he was “the son of Alphaeus.” This is not the “Alphaeus” who is consistently said to be the father of James the Less, one of the twelve (Matt 10:3; Mk 3:18; Lk 6:15). The mother of James was Mary, sister to the mother of the Lord. She is said to have been married to “Cleophas,” which is the Hebrew form of “Alphaeus” McCLINTOK (Lk 24:10; John 19:25). Elsewhere Matthew is distinguished by being called “Matthew the publican” (Matt 10:3), and “a publican named Levi” (Lk 5:27).
SITTING AT THE RECEIPT. Matthew, Mark, and Luke all refer to “the seat of custom” (Matt 9:9; Lk 5:27). This is understood to be a small house on the shore, near the port of entry for shipments to and from shipping ports that were in Damascus through Accho. He was a tax-gatherer, receiving custom duties for the shipments. Thus Matthew was at work when he was called, just as Simon, Andrew, James, and John.
Publicans, or revenue collectors, were not held in high regard. Jesus said they loved and saluted those who loved and saluted them (Matt 5:46,47). He said a person who was expelled from the church was to be treated “as a heathen man and a publican” (Matt 18:17). Yet, some from their number came to be baptized by John, and asked him what they should do (Lk 3:12-13). We are told that they “justified God being baptized with the baptism of John” (Lk 7:29). Another “publican” of note was Zacchaeus (Lk 19:2).
How quickly can a man with this kind of background respond to Jesus? Will he require more time to follow the Lord than those of more acceptable professions, like Simon, Andrew, James, and John?
FOLLOW ME. What does it mean to “follow” Jesus? Does it mean to tag along after, or merely to travel behind someone? That is involved, to be sure, but the word “follow” involves much more than that. This word means “to join him as his attendant, accompany him,” or “join him as a disciple, or learner.” THAYER To “follow” Jesus is to accompany, or travel along with him. It assumes the abandonment of competing pursuits, and a commitment to be taught by the Lord. There were some to whom following Jesus meant letting “the dead bury their dead” (Matt 8:22). To a rich man, following Jesus required selling all that he had and giving it to the poor (Matt 19:21). Following Jesus is preceded by the denial of self, and taking up the cross of self-crucifixion (Matt 16:24). Following Jesus requires taking up the cross every day (Lk 9:23). This is something that Christ’s true disciples do – upon hearing His “voice,” they “follow” Him.
No person can serve Jesus who does not “follow” Him, or stay with Him. Jesus Himself said, “If any man serve Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall also My servant be” (John 12:26). No one truly serves Jesus who does not prefer being with Him, walking where He is walking, and doing His will.
HE ROSE AND FOLLOWED. The response was immediate: “Levi got up and followed Him.” NIV One version reads, “And he got up, and went with Him.” BBE Luke adds, “And he left everything behind, and rose and began to follow Him” NIV (Lk 5:28). Upon hearing the call of Jesus, Matthew’s whole life changed. He ceased being a tax collector, and started being a learner – one who accompanies, and is taught by, the Lord Jesus Christ. He left one realm in preference for another. In abandoned one occupation in the quest of another. He embarked on a life that required him to be with Jesus. Later, when the office of Judas was filled, we learn what it meant to “follow” Jesus. They were required to be with Jesus and His disciples “all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that He was taken up from us” (Acts 1:21-22). In this text, Levi, or Matthew, begins doing precisely that “going in and out” with Jesus and His disciples. To do that, he had to leave “the tax office.” NKJV What have you left?
LEVI HAS JESUS IN HIS HOUSE
“ 15 And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and His disciples: for there were many, and they followed Him.”
JESUS SAT AT MEAT. “Sat at meat” means Jesus was “dining.” NKJV or “having dinner.” NIV Here was an ordinary activity, but it was transformed by the presence of the Christ. Luke provides us with more information regarding this circumstance. Upon following Jesus, Levi invited the Lord and His disciples to his own house, preparing a great feast for them. “And Levi made Him a great feast in his own house” (Luke 5:29). Other versions read, “a big reception,” NASB and “a great banquet.” NIV Note, it was in Matthew’s own house, and it was at his own expense. It was not for Jesus only, but for “His disciples” as well. Martha also prepared a supper in Jesus’ honor (John 12:2). Zacchaeus received Jesus joyfully into his house (Lk 19:6). It goes without saying, that those who truly follow Jesus are forward to invite Him into their house, thereby sanctifying its normalities.
PUBLICANS AND SINNERS. Apparently, Matthew invited these people from his past life, and there were “many” of them. The “publicans” were tax collectors working for the Roman government, which certainly did not endear them to the people. The “sinners” were unusually profligate – “notorious sinners,” LIVING “sinful people,” IE and “persons [definitely stained] with sin.” AMPLIFIED There was no question about their manner of life. As used here, the word “sinners” means “devoted to sin, preeminently sinful, especially wicked, and stained with certain definite vices or crimes.” THAYER This is not “sinners” in the sense of “all have sinned” (Rom 3:23), or “were the servants of sin,” (Rom 6:17), or being “dead in trespasses and sins” (Eph 2:1). Elsewhere Jesus spoke of “publicans and harlots,” accenting those who had plummeted to especially low moral depths (Matt 21:31-32).
SAT TOGETHER WITH JESUS AND HIS DISCIPLES. “Publicans and sinners” are frequently associated with each other, being descriptive of those whose sin was more obvious (Matt 9:10-11; 11:19; Lk 5:30; 7:34; 15:1). Here, we find them sitting “with Jesus and His disciples.” We assume Matthew invited this entourage of sinners – doubtless people with whom he had been associated. Behold what a response Matthew had to the calling of Jesus. He prepares “a great feast in his own house,” inviting Jesus, His disciples, and a multitude of “publicans and sinners.”
Jesus did not require this of Matthew, but Matthew’s love for Jesus demanded that he do so. That is the manner of life that is spawned when men willingly accompany Jesus. This is involved in Jesus’ saying, “and where I am, there shall also My servant be” (John 12:26). Also, note the order here: first Jesus, then His disciples. Jesus and His disciples did not sit with the publicans and sinners; the publicans and sinners “sat down with them.” Also, the feast was made for Jesus, not the others – they were invited to come and honor Jesus, also being able to hear His gracious words. Mark says this with even more precision. “Many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and His disciples.”
THERE WERE MANY, AND THEY FOLLOWED HIM. The “many” who “followed” Jesus were His disciples. The number was far greater than Andrew, Simon, James, John, and Matthew. There were, at the first of Christ’s ministry, multitudes who followed Him wherever He went. Matthew says there were “great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judea, and from Jordan” that followed the Christ (Matt 4:25). Often it is written that “great multitudes followed Him” (Matt 8:1; 12:15; 19:2; 21:9). You get the picture of people wanting to get close to Jesus and to stay with him, whether or not they were invited to do so.
Most of these disciples would eventually leave Jesus, unable to handle the more direct teachings that He gave (John 6:60,66). However, their beginnings reveal the nature of Christ’s ministry among men. There seems to be an inward sense that following Jesus is not subsidiary activity – something to be merely added to our lives. The extent of this is not seen at first, but becomes more clear as we walk with the Lord.
Jesus does not allow people to “follow” Him without teaching them, showing them the truth, and expounding that truth to them. He is ever a teaching Jesus, acquainting us with God (1 John 5:20), and the requirement to put off “the old man” and “put on the new man” (Eph 4: 20-24). However, none of this teaching – not so much as a word of it – can be heard by those who are not with Jesus, following Him, and devoting themselves to Him. His teaching is the appointed means of sifting out real disciples from pretentious ones, just as it did during His earthly ministry. Truly, Jesus violently disrupted the normal tone of religion, drawing people to Himself, and confirming the superiority of His Person and teaching.