Matthew 9:9
As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax booth. "Follow Me," He told him, and Matthew got up and followed Him.
As Jesus went on from there
This phrase sets the scene for the narrative, indicating movement and transition in Jesus' ministry. The Greek word for "went on" is "παράγω" (paragō), which implies passing by or moving forward. This movement is not just physical but also symbolic of Jesus' mission to reach out to different people and places. Historically, Jesus' ministry was itinerant, reflecting His purpose to spread the message of the Kingdom of God across various regions, breaking traditional boundaries and reaching diverse audiences.

He saw a man named Matthew
The act of seeing here is significant. The Greek word "εἶδεν" (eiden) suggests more than just a casual glance; it implies a deep, discerning look. Jesus' ability to see Matthew is not just physical but spiritual, recognizing his potential and calling. Matthew, also known as Levi, was a tax collector, a profession despised by the Jews for its association with Roman oppression and corruption. This highlights Jesus' willingness to look beyond societal labels and see the individual.

sitting at the tax booth
The tax booth was a place of business for tax collectors, often located along trade routes or near city gates. The Greek word "τελώνιον" (telōnion) refers to this toll booth. Tax collectors were seen as traitors by their fellow Jews because they worked for the Roman authorities and often extorted money. This setting emphasizes the societal and religious barriers Jesus was willing to cross to reach individuals like Matthew.

“Follow Me,”
The call to "Follow Me" is a direct and personal invitation. The Greek word "ἀκολούθει" (akolouthei) means to accompany or to join as a disciple. This command is central to Jesus' ministry, inviting individuals into a transformative relationship with Him. It signifies a call to leave behind one's old life and embrace a new path of discipleship, commitment, and service.

He told him
Jesus' communication is authoritative and personal. The phrase "He told him" underscores the directness of Jesus' call. It is not a suggestion but a command, reflecting His authority as the Son of God. This personal address highlights the intimate nature of Jesus' call to each individual, inviting them into a personal relationship with Him.

and Matthew got up and followed Him
Matthew's response is immediate and decisive. The Greek word "ἀναστὰς" (anastas) means to rise or stand up, indicating a physical and metaphorical action of leaving his old life. "Followed" is again "ἠκολούθησεν" (ēkolouthēsen), showing his commitment to becoming a disciple. This response exemplifies the transformative power of Jesus' call, as Matthew leaves his lucrative but morally questionable profession to follow Christ. Historically, this decision would have been radical, as it meant abandoning financial security and societal status for an uncertain future with Jesus.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus
The central figure of the New Testament, the Son of God, who calls Matthew to follow Him. His authority and compassion are evident in His interactions.

2. Matthew
Also known as Levi, he is a tax collector, a profession often despised by the Jewish people for its association with Roman oppression and corruption. His immediate response to Jesus' call is significant.

3. Tax Booth
The place where Matthew was working when Jesus called him. It symbolizes Matthew's old life and profession, which he leaves behind to follow Jesus.

4. Capernaum
While not mentioned directly in this verse, it is the setting for many of Jesus' teachings and miracles, including the calling of Matthew.

5. The Call
The event of Jesus calling Matthew to follow Him, which signifies a turning point in Matthew's life and the beginning of his discipleship.
Teaching Points
The Power of Jesus' Call
Jesus' call to Matthew demonstrates His authority and the transformative power of His words. When Jesus calls, it demands a response.

Leaving the Old Life
Matthew's willingness to leave his tax booth symbolizes the call to leave behind our old ways and embrace a new life in Christ.

Immediate Obedience
Matthew's immediate response to Jesus' call is a model of obedience and faith. We are encouraged to respond promptly to God's calling in our lives.

Inclusivity of the Gospel
Jesus' choice of a tax collector as a disciple shows that the Gospel is for everyone, regardless of their past or social status.

Discipleship Requires Sacrifice
Following Jesus often requires leaving behind comfort, security, and familiarity, as demonstrated by Matthew's actions.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does Matthew's profession as a tax collector tell us about the inclusivity of Jesus' call to discipleship?

2. How can we apply Matthew's immediate response to Jesus' call in our own lives when we feel God is calling us to something new?

3. In what ways does leaving the "tax booth" in our lives look like today, and what might we need to leave behind to follow Jesus more closely?

4. How does Matthew's account encourage us to view people who are often marginalized or looked down upon in society?

5. Reflect on a time when you felt called by God to make a significant change. How did you respond, and what can you learn from Matthew's example?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Luke 5:27-28
Provides a parallel account of Matthew's calling, emphasizing his immediate response and the subsequent feast he held for Jesus.

Mark 2:14
Another parallel account that highlights the same event, reinforcing the importance of Matthew's decision to follow Jesus.

Philippians 3:7-8
Paul speaks about counting all things as loss for the sake of Christ, which parallels Matthew's decision to leave his lucrative job to follow Jesus.

Hebrews 11:8
Abraham's obedience to God's call is similar to Matthew's immediate response to Jesus' invitation.
A Man Called MatthewC. H. SpurgeonMatthew 9:9
Custom of Sitting At WorkW. M. Thomson, D. D.Matthew 9:9
Making Surrender for Christ's SakeR. Tuck Matthew 9:9
Receipt of CustomVan Lennep.Matthew 9:9
St. MatthewT. Gasquoine, B. A.Matthew 9:9
St. Matthew's DayBishop Heber.Matthew 9:9
St. Matthew's DayAdam Littleton, D. D.Matthew 9:9
The Call of MatthewAlexander MaclarenMatthew 9:9
The Calling of MatthewPitman.Matthew 9:9
The Calling of St. MatthewCanon Titcomb, M. A.Matthew 9:9
The Commencement of a Religious Life Easy for Some MenJ. Parker, D. D.Matthew 9:9
The Following ChristR. W. Evans, B. D.Matthew 9:9
The Sudden But Safe CallP.C. Barker Matthew 9:9
When Christ Calls, He Also DrawsC. Stanford., Bishop Hall.Matthew 9:9
At CapernaumMarcus Dods Matthew 9:1-17
The Sinner's FriendJ.A. Macdonald Matthew 9:9-13
People
David, Jesus, John, Matthew
Places
Capernaum
Topics
Booth, Collection, Collector's, Custom, Follow, Followed, Forth, Got, Matthew, Named, Office, Passed, Passing, Receipt, Risen, Rose, Says, Seated, Sitting, Tax, Taxes, Tax-office, Thence, Toll
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Matthew 9:9

     2066   Christ, power of
     2426   gospel, responses
     4926   delay, human
     7621   disciples, calling
     7632   Twelve, characters of
     8115   discipleship, nature of
     8120   following Christ
     8206   Christlikeness
     8209   commitment, to Christ
     8475   self-denial
     8702   agnosticism

Matthew 9:9-10

     5503   rich, the

Matthew 9:9-13

     4438   eating
     6040   sinners

Matthew 9:9-14

     5576   tax collectors

Library
June 26. "When He Saw the Multitudes He was Moved" (Matt. Ix. 36).
"When He saw the multitudes He was moved" (Matt. ix. 36). He is able to be "touched with the feeling of our infirmities." The word "touched" expresses a great deal. It means that our troubles are His troubles, and that in all our afflictions He is afflicted. It is not a sympathy of sentiment, but a sympathy of suffering. There is much help in this for the tired heart. It is the foundation of His Priesthood, and God meant that it should be to us a source of unceasing consolation. Let us realize, more
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

Christ's Encouragements
'Son, be of good cheer.'--MATT. ix. 2. This word of encouragement, which exhorts to both cheerfulness and courage, is often upon Christ's lips. It is only once employed in the Gospels by any other than He. If we throw together the various instances in which He thus speaks, we may get a somewhat striking view of the hindrances to such a temper of bold, buoyant cheerfulness which the world presents, and of the means for securing it which Christ provides. But before I consider these individually, let
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

A Christlike Judgment of Men
'But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.' --MATT. ix. 36. In the course of our Lord's wandering life of teaching and healing, there had naturally gathered around Him a large number of persons who followed Him from place to place, and we have here cast into a symbol the impression produced upon Him by their outward condition. That is to say, He sees them lying there weary, and footsore, and
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Soul-Healing First: Body-Healing Second
'That ye may know that the Son of Man hath power on earth to forgive sins (then saith He to the sick of the palsy), Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.'--MATT. ix. 6. The great example of our Lord's teaching in the Sermon on the Mount is followed, in this and the preceding chapter, by a similar collection of His works of healing. These are divided into three groups, each consisting of three members. This miracle is the last of the second triad, of which the other two members are the
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Touch of Faith and the Touch of Christ
'While He spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped Him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay Thy hand upon her, and she shall live. 19. And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did His disciples. 20. And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind Him, and touched the hem of His garment: 21. For she said within herself, If I may but touch His garment, I shall be whole. 22. But Jesus turned Him about,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Call of Matthew
'And as Jesus passed forth from thence, He saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and He saith unto him, Follow Me. And he arose, and followed Him. 10. And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples. 11. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto His disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? 12. But when Jesus heard that, He said unto them, They that be whole need not
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Compassion of Jesus
THIS is said of Christ Jesus several times in the New Testament. The original word is a very remarkable one. It is not found in classic Greek. It is not found in the Septuagint. The fact is, it was a word coined by the evangelists themselves. They did not find one in the whole Greek language that suited their purpose, and therefore they had to make one. It is expressive of the deepest emotion; a striving of the bowels--a yearning of the innermost nature with pity. As the dictionaries tell us-- Ex
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 60: 1914

Eleventh Day for More Labourers
WHAT TO PRAY.--For more Labourers "Pray ye the Lord of the harvest, that He send forth labourers into His harvest."--MATT. ix. 38. What a remarkable call of the Lord Jesus for help from His disciples in getting the need supplied. What an honour put upon prayer. What a proof that God wants prayer and will hear it. Pray for labourers, for all students in theological seminaries, training homes, Bible institutes, that they may not go, unless He fits them and sends them forth; that our churches may
Andrew Murray—The Ministry of Intercession

Dread of Ridicule.
24th Sunday after Trinity. S. Matt. ix. 24. "And they laughed Him to scorn." INTRODUCTION.--"All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2 Tim. iii. 12.) This is what S. Paul says. This is what everyone of you must make up your mind to, if you intend to live godly lives, and, moreover, to live in Christ. Do you know what that meant to the early Christians? It meant that if they were going to be firm in their faith, live up to their profession, and eschew evil, they should
S. Baring-Gould—The Village Pulpit, Volume II. Trinity to Advent

Evil Thoughts.
19th Sunday after Trinity. S. Matt. ix. 4. "Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?" INTRODUCTION.--Thoughts are only thoughts! who is to beheld accountable for them? They are clouds blown about by fancy, taking various shapes. God is not so hard as to judge us for our thoughts; He will try us by what we have done, not by what we have dreamed. No garden is without weeds; there are tares in every cornfield. Who speak thus? Is it those who are conscientious and scrupulous to drive away evil thoughts?
S. Baring-Gould—The Village Pulpit, Volume II. Trinity to Advent

Civilized Barbarism (Preached for the Bishop of London's Fund, at St. John's Church, Notting Hill, June 1866. )
ST. MATTHEW ix. 12. They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. I have been honoured by an invitation to preach on behalf of the Bishop of London's Fund for providing for the spiritual wants of this metropolis. By the bishop, and a large number of landowners, employers of labour, and others who were aware of the increasing heathendom of the richest and happiest city of the world, it was agreed that, if possible, a million sterling should be raised during the next ten years,
Charles Kingsley—The Water of Life and Other Sermons

The Physician's Calling (Preached at Whitehall for St. George's Hospital. )
ST. MATTHEW ix. 35. And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. The Gospels speak of disease and death in a very simple and human tone. They regard them in theory, as all are forced to regard them in fact, as sore and sad evils. The Gospels never speak of disease or death as necessities; never as the will of God. It is Satan, not God, who binds the woman with
Charles Kingsley—The Water of Life and Other Sermons

Of the Words Themselves in General.
We come now to the words themselves, wherein Christ asserts that he is, 1, "the way;" 2, "the truth;" 3, "the life;" and, 4, "that no man cometh to the Father but by him." In them we learn these two things in general. First, The misery of wretched man by nature. This cannot be in a few words expressed. These words will point out those particulars thereof, which we will but mention. 1. That he is born an enemy to, and living at a distance from God, by virtue of the curse of the broken covenant of
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

Christ
IF NOT GOD--NOT GOOD BY I. M. HALDEMAN, D.D. "Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is God" (Matthew 9:17). THE world has accepted Jesus Christ as a good man. The evidences of his goodness are manifold. He was full of compassion. He never looked upon the people as a crowd. He never thought of them as a mass. He saw them always as individuals. His heart went out to them. All his impulses were to pity them, sympathize with, and help them. He went among them. He entered into
I. M. Haldeman—Christ, Christianity and the Bible

Concerted Prayer
"A tourist, in climbing an Alpine summit, finds himself tied by a strong rope to his trusty guide, and to three of his fellow-tourists. As they skirt a perilous precipice he cannot pray, Lord, hold up my goings in a safe path, that my footsteps slip not, but as to my guide and companions, they must look out for themselves.' The only proper prayer in such a case is, Lord, hold up our goings in a safe path; for if one slips all of us may perish.'"--H. Clay Trumbull The pious Quesnel says that "God
Edward M. Bounds—The Essentials of Prayer

Combination Illustrated.
To illustrate our method of combination, let us take Section 36, which is a fitting together of the following passages, namely: 9 And as Jesus passed by from thence, he saw a man, called Matthew, sitting at the place of toll: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.--Matt. ix. 9. 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 Alphæus sitting at the place of toll,
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Call of Matthew.
(at or Near Capernaum.) ^A Matt. IX. 9; ^B Mark II. 13, 14; ^C Luke V. 27, 28. ^c 27 And after these thingsa [after the healing of the paralytic] he went forth, ^a again by the seaside [i. e., he left Capernaum, and sought the shore of the sea, which formed a convenient auditorium for him, and which was hence a favorite scene for his teaching]; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them. 14 And as he ^a Jesus passed by from thence, he saw ^c and beheld ^a a man, ^c a publican, named
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Matthew's Feast. Discourse on Fasting.
(Capernaum.) ^A Matt. IX. 10-17; ^B Mark II. 15-22; ^C Luke V. 29-39. ^c 29 And Levi [another name for the apostle Matthew] made him a great feast in his house: ^b 15 And it came to pass, that he was sitting { ^a as he sat} at meat in the { ^b his} ^a house, ^c and there was a great multitude of publicans [Matthew had invited his old friends] and of others ^b and ^a behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples. ^b for there were many, ^c that were sitting at meat
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Jairus' Daughter and the Invalid Woman.
(Capernaum, Same Day as Last.) ^A Matt. IX. 18-26; ^B Mark V. 22-43; ^C Luke VIII. 41-56. ^c 41 And ^a 18 While he spake these things unto them [while he talked about fasting at Matthew's table], behold, there came, { ^b cometh} ^c a man named Jairus, { ^b Jairus by name;} ^c and he was a ruler { ^b one of the rulers} of the synagogue [He was one of the board of elders which governed the synagogue at Capernaum. These elders were not necessarily old men--Matt. xix. 16-22; Luke xviii. 18-23], and seeing
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Jesus Heals a Paralytic at Capernaum.
^A Matt. IX. 2-8; ^B Mark II. 1-12; ^C Luke V. 17-26. ^c 17 And it came to pass on one of those days, ^b when he entered again into Capernaum after some days, ^c that he was teaching; ^b it was noised that he was in the house. [Luke uses the general expression "those days," referring to the early portion of our Lord's ministry in Galilee. Mark says, "some days," which implies the lapse of a considerable interval. The healing of the leper created such excitement that for some time, several weeks,
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Lix. Healing Blind Men and a Dumb Demoniac.
(Probably Capernaum.) ^A Matt. IX. 27-34. ^a 27 And as Jesus passed by from thence [If construed strictly, this phrase means, as he departed from Jairus' house. But the phrase is indefinite], two blind men followed him, crying out, and saying, Have mercy on us, thou son of David. [This, among the Jews, was a common and thoroughly recognized name for the expected Messiah.] 28 And when he was come into the house [possibly Peter's. But the place is not important. The house is mentioned to show that
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Third Circuit of Galilee. The Twelve Instructed and Sent Forth.
^A Matt. IX. 35-38; X. 1, 5-42; XI. 1; ^B Mark VI. 6-13; ^C Luke IX. 1-6. ^b 6 And he ^a Jesus ^b went about ^a all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner sickness and all manner of sickness. [In the first circuit of Galilee some of the twelve accompanied Jesus as disciples (see [3]Section XXXIII.); in the second the twelve were with him as apostles; in the third they, too, are sent forth as evangelists to supplement
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Return to Capernaum - Concerning the Forgiveness of Sins - the Healing of the Paralysed
It is a remarkable instance of the reserve of the Gospel-narratives, that of the second journey of Jesus in Galilee no other special event is recorded than the healing of the leper. And it seems also to indicate, that this one miracle had been so selected for a special purpose. But if, as we have suggested, after the Unknown Feast,' the activity of Jesus assumed a new and what, for want of a better name, may be called an anti-Judaic character, we can perceive the reason of it. The healing of leprosy
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Healing of the Woman - Christ's Personal Appearance - the Raising of Jairus' Daughter
THERE seems remarkable correspondence between the two miracles which Jesus had wrought on leaving Capernaum and those which He did on His return. In one sense they are complementary to each other. The stilling of the storm and the healing of the demonised were manifestations of the absolute power inherent in Christ; the recovery of the woman and the raising of Jairus' daughter, evidence of the absolute efficacy of faith. The unlikeliness of dominion over the storm, and of command over a legion of
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

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