Mark 2:14Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Always aim for the Creator's honor, not your own (cf. John 7:18), and strive to cultivate a love for lofty ideals as much as you are able. To act in this manner is to tread the path of Christ (cf. 1 Pet. 2:21). Without surprise, we see that at the command of the Lord, the tax collector promptly renounces the earthly possessions he once cherished, and forsaking riches, he immediately follows Him whose divine nature he could not yet fully comprehend. It was the Lord Himself who vocally summoned him, while inwardly guiding him to respond. The Lord enlightened his mind with the spiritual radiance of His grace, revealing to the tax collector that He who urged him to abandon temporary riches could bestow upon him everlasting treasures in heaven.

By choosing Matthew as one of His closest companions, the Lord aimed to illustrate His mission of calling sinners to repentance. He demonstrated that those labeled as sinners might be no worse than those who consider themselves righteous, and similarly, many self-proclaimed righteous individuals are deeply flawed. Matthew’s eagerness to answer the Lord’s summons proved him to be equally deserving of this divine invitation alongside the other disciples. Yet, his response transcended mere acceptance; out of gratitude for the Lord’s mercy towards him, he boldly invited Jesus to a meal with himself and his fellow tax collectors. Recognizing Matthew's sincere love and understanding the potential for his actions to inspire others in similar situations, the Lord graciously accepted the invitation. He intended for this moment to convey a profound message to the Pharisees, yet they failed to perceive its true meaning.

In contrast, the Pharisees and scribes, who had heard John’s testimony and witnessed Jesus' miracles, chose not to become His disciples. This demonstrates that those who recognize their sinfulness and are genuinely repentant are closer to the Kingdom of Heaven than those who pride themselves on their perceived righteousness.

The Evangelist Matthew refers to Matthew the tax collector, who answered Jesus’ call (Matthew 9:9), while Mark, following Luke, identifies him as Levi, noting he was the son of Alphaeus. However, there is no contradiction here. All three Evangelists refer to the same individual, as confirmed by the consistency in their accounts and shared details. Each of the Evangelists notes that the tax collector’s calling occurred after the healing of the paralytic, and since there is no evidence suggesting that Jesus called two tax collectors after healing the paralytic, it is reasonable to conclude that all three Evangelists refer to a single person, using different names. The variation in names can be attributed to the Jewish custom of having multiple names; Luke and Mark refer to him as Levi, likely the name used by those who interacted with him as a tax collector, while Matthew, the Evangelist himself, refers to him as Matthew, a name by which he was probably known personally by those close to him, including family. Mark and Luke also identify this tax collector as Matthew when listing the twelve Apostles selected later. Additionally, all three Evangelists portray Jesus' subsequent invitation to His disciples and the tax collector’s hospitality in a remarkably similar manner (cf. Matthew 9:8-17; Mark 2:12-22; Luke 5:26-39).

The once vibrant Messianic hopes and promises that characterized their historical existence seemed to have been extinguished under the oppressive rule of foreign invaders, and paying these taxes felt almost like a betrayal to the sensitive conscience of devout Jews. Such payments appeared to contradict the foundational tenets of divine authority and could only be justified if one were compelled by necessity. Thus, it is no wonder that the tax collectors were deeply scorned by the populace. It's important to note that in remote areas, these collectors were not the Roman officials or publicani themselves, but rather their mere subordinates, often drawn from the lower strata of society, notorious for their corruption. If a Jew found it challenging to reconcile the obligation of paying taxes, then to serve as an agent—particularly one of dubious moral standing—in their collection must have felt like an unthinkable transgression. Given the general disdain for publicans, the aversion held by the Jewish people towards their own tax collector is understandable. However, the One who came to seek and save the lost, who could instill divine righteousness amid pagan vice, was able to transform even a Jewish tax collector into an apostle and the first herald of a new and vibrant faith. In selecting His apostles, He was not swayed by outward appearances but was attuned to the depths of the human heart. He chose a despised tax collector over an esteemed scribe (Matthew 8:19). This act exemplified divine wisdom and perfect humanity, which Matthew wholly fulfilled by channeling his literary skills into a sacred mission, ultimately becoming the first chronicler of his Lord and Savior. It is likely that Matthew had witnessed some of Christ's conversations and miracles, which deeply moved his heart. In the sight of the One who judged no one and bore the burdens of all, this tax collector, even while still at the toll booth, was prepared to respond to the call. A single command, 'Follow me,' was sufficient for Matthew. It revealed to him that the Lord cherished him and desired to use him as an instrument for the advancement of the gospel within God’s kingdom. This realization empowered the publican to reject all temptations of greed and turn away from his former life. ‘And he arose and followed Him,’ transformed morally by the extraordinary power of redemptive and forgiving love.