SEV Biblia, Chapter 2:14
Y pasando, vio a Leví, hijo de Alfeo, sentado al banco de los tributos pblicos , y le dice: Sígueme. Y levantndose le sigui.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Mark 2:14
Verse 14. Levi] The same as Matthew; he appears to have been a Jew, though employed in the odious office of a tax- gatherer. For an account of his call, see his Gospel, Matt. ix. 9, &c.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 14. And as he passed by , etc..] As he went from Simon's house, and from the city of Capernaum, to go to the sea side: he saw Levi, the son of Alphaeus ; the same with Matthew, ( Matthew 9:9), and son to the same Alphaeus as James was, ( Matthew 10:3), Beza's most ancient copy reads James, instead of Levi, very wrongly; but he was the brother of James, and also of Simon and Jude; so that there were four brothers of them apostles: and if Joses, called Barsabas, was the same Joses that was brother to these, as seems probable, a fifth was put up for an apostle, though the lot fell on Matthias. James, and Joses, and Simon, and Jude, are mentioned together, ( Matthew 13:55), because they lived together, and were men of religion and seriousness, and known by their neighbours; but Matthew, or Levi, is not mentioned: it is thought, by some, probable, that he was a loose, extravagant young man, and so might depart from his father's family, and enter into this scandalous employment of a publican; and herein went contrary to his father's will, Cleophas, or Alphaeus, who was the husband of the sister of Mary, the mother of our Lord: sitting at the receipt of custom ; the toll booth, or custom house, where he sat to take toll of passengers that came, or went in ships or boats, The Syriac version renders it, sitting among the toll gatherers; and the Persic, among publicans; not only signifying the business in which he was, but the company he was among; which makes the grace of Christ the more illustrious and distinguishing, in looking upon him, and calling him: and said unto him, follow me; and he arose, and followed him . Christ, the great shepherd of the sheep, who came to seek, in order to save that which was lost, was now locking up his lost sheep; and Matthew, or Levi, being one of them, he finds him, and calls him by his grace. Christ is always first with his people; he first seeks them, and then they seek him; he first finds them, and then they find him; yea, he is found of them that sought him not. Levi took no notice of him, inquired not about him, and had no thought of leaving his employ; and going after him, but Christ knew him: his eye was upon him as he passed by him, and his time was a time of love, and so a time of life; he looked upon him, and said unto him, live; quickening power went along with his words, and he arose, and left all, and followed him:
Christ, as the good shepherd, went before; and Levi, through the grace that was now given him, as one of his sheep, heard and knew his voice, and, without the least hesitation or reluctance, quitted his business, and became a follower of him. How powerful is efficacious grace! what is it, it can not do! it turns the heart of a sinner at once, inclines it to Christ, and causes it to leave all for his sake; it at once fills the soul with love to Christ, faith in him, and obedience to him; it works powerfully, and yet freely; it always obtains, and effects what it designs, yet puts no force upon the will: Levi, under the drawings of divine grace, followed Christ most willingly and cheerfully; (see Gill on Matthew 9:9).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 13-17 - Matthew was not a good character, or else, being a Jew, he would neve have been a publican, that is, a tax-gatherer for the Romans. However Christ called this publican to follow him. With God, through Christ there is mercy to pardon the greatest sins, and grace to change the greatest sinners, and make them holy. A faithful, fair-dealing publica was rare. And because the Jews had a particular hatred to an offic which proved that they were subject to the Romans, they gave thes tax-gatherers an ill name. But such as these our blessed Lord did no hesitate to converse with, when he appeared in the likeness of sinfu flesh. And it is no new thing for that which is both well done and wel designed, to be slandered, and turned to the reproach of the wisest an best of men. Christ would not withdraw, though the Pharisees wer offended. If the world had been righteous, there had been no occasio for his coming, either to preach repentance, or to purchase forgiveness. We must not keep company with ungodly men out of love to their vain conversation; but we are to show love to their souls remembering that our good Physician had the power of healing i himself, and was in no danger of taking the disease; but it is not s with us. In trying to do good to others, let us be careful we do no get harm to ourselves.
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 CONJ παραγων 3855 5723 V-PAP-NSM ειδεν 1492 5627 V-2AAI-3S λευιν 3018 N-ASM τον 3588 T-ASM του 3588 T-GSM αλφαιου 256 N-GSM καθημενον 2521 5740 V-PNP-ASM επι 1909 PREP το 3588 T-ASN τελωνιον 5058 N-ASN και 2532 CONJ λεγει 3004 5719 V-PAI-3S αυτω 846 P-DSM ακολουθει 190 5720 V-PAM-2S μοι 3427 P-1DS και 2532 CONJ αναστας 450 5631 V-2AAP-NSM ηκολουθησεν 190 5656 V-AAI-3S αυτω 846 P-DSM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
14. See on Matt. ix. 9.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
2:14 {And as he passed by} (kai paragwn). Present participle active, was passing by. Jesus was constantly on the alert for opportunities to do good. An unlikely specimen was Levi (Matthew), son of Alpheus, sitting at the toll-gate (telwnion) on the Great West Road from Damascus to the Mediterranean. He was a publican (telwnes) who collected toll for Herod Antipas. The Jews hated or despised these publicans and classed them with sinners (hamartwloi). The challenge of Jesus was sudden and sharp, but Levi (Matthew) was ready to respond at once. He had heard of Jesus and quickly decided. Great decisions are often made on a moment's notice. Levi is a fine object lesson for business men who put off service to Christ to carry on their business.
