MARK 2:13–17, THE CALL OF LEVI
JESUS CALLS SINNERS, SHARES TABLE FELLOWSHIP, AND HEALS THE HEART
Introduction
After revealing his authority to forgive sins by healing the paralytic, Jesus continues his ministry along the Sea of Galilee where crowds gather to hear him. As he walks, he does something shocking: he calls a tax collector—someone widely regarded as a public sinner and collaborator with Roman power. Levi responds immediately, leaving his customs post behind. The call does not end with following; it leads to fellowship. Jesus enters Levi’s home and eats with tax collectors and sinners. This becomes a moment of conflict with the scribes of the Pharisees, who see holiness as separation from the impure. Jesus reveals the heart of his mission: he is the divine physician who comes precisely for those who know they need mercy.
Bible Passage (Mark 2:13–17)
Once again he went out along the sea. All the crowd came to him and he taught them. As he passed by, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus, sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners sat with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many who followed him. Some scribes who were Pharisees saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors and said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus heard this and said to them, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”
Background
This passage continues the theme of Mark 2:1–12: Jesus’ authority and Jesus’ mercy. The healing of the paralytic revealed his power to forgive sins; the call of Levi reveals the kind of people his forgiveness is aimed at—those labeled as unworthy. In Mark’s Gospel, conflict intensifies whenever Jesus challenges the boundaries that the religious elite used to define purity and righteousness. Here, the issue is not only Levi’s occupation but Jesus’ table fellowship—because in Jewish culture, eating together was a sign of acceptance and communion.
Opening Life Connection
Many people assume they must “fix themselves” before approaching God: “When I become better, then I will return.” Others feel judged by past mistakes, reputation, or what people in church might say. Some avoid the community of faith because they fear being labeled. This Gospel reveals a different reality: Jesus comes toward the sinner first. He calls, he welcomes, he eats with us—then he heals and transforms our life from within.
Verse-by-Verse / Phrase-by-Phrase Reflection
“All the crowd came to him and he taught them”
Jesus continues to form people through the Word. He does not merely gather crowds; he teaches—because conversion begins when truth enters the heart.
“He saw Levi… sitting at the customs post”
Jesus sees what others refuse to see: a person, not a label. Levi is at a place of profit and social shame—yet Jesus’ gaze is not contempt but mercy.
“He said to him, ‘Follow me’”
Jesus does not begin with accusation; he begins with invitation. The call is simple and direct: not “prove yourself,” but “Follow me.”
“And he got up and followed him”
Levi rises immediately. The same pattern appears with the first disciples: when Jesus calls, the response is decisive. Conversion often begins with one courageous step away from the old life.
“While he was at table in his house”
Levi’s response becomes hospitality. He opens his home to Jesus. Discipleship is not only leaving something behind; it is welcoming Christ into one’s personal world—relationships, reputation, and daily life.
“Many tax collectors and sinners sat with Jesus”
Grace is contagious. One person’s conversion becomes a doorway for others. Those who felt unwelcome in religious circles find themselves near Jesus without fear.
“Some scribes who were Pharisees… said… ‘Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?’”
The criticism is not aimed at Jesus directly at first; it is whispered to the disciples. This is how scandal often spreads: not through honest encounter, but through insinuation and complaint.
“Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do”
Jesus uses a powerful image: he is the physician of souls. The Church is not a museum for the perfect; it is a hospital for the wounded.
“I did not come to call the righteous but sinners”
Jesus does not deny that holiness matters. He exposes a false righteousness that refuses mercy. The “righteous” here are those who think they have no need of repentance. The doorway to salvation is not a spotless record, but humility—knowing we need God.
Jewish Historical and Religious Context
Tax collectors worked within the Roman system and were often viewed as traitors. They could overcharge and profit, and their contact with Gentiles and money made them ritually “suspect” in popular imagination. Pharisees emphasized purity and separation from defilement, and meal fellowship had strong religious meaning: to eat with someone was to recognize them as part of one’s circle. So when Jesus eats with tax collectors and sinners, he is not ignoring holiness—he is redefining holiness as mercy that restores the lost to covenant life.
Catholic Tradition and Teaching
This passage shines light on conversion and the sacraments. Christ calls sinners into friendship, and that friendship becomes the path of transformation. In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Jesus continues to say, in effect, “Follow me,” restoring us to grace and communion with the Church. The Eucharist deepens this table fellowship: Christ not only eats with us—he gives himself to us. Yet the Church also teaches worthy reception: Jesus welcomes sinners, but always to heal them, not to leave them unchanged. Mercy is not permission to remain in sin; it is power to rise from it.
Historical or Saintly Illustration
Saint Matthew—traditionally identified with Levi—became an evangelist, showing that God can turn a life associated with greed and compromise into a life that proclaims the Gospel. The very one who once “counted money” became one who “counted the words and deeds of Jesus” for the salvation of nations. His life is a living commentary on this passage: Christ’s call is stronger than a person’s past.
Application to Christian Life Today
We must examine our hearts: do we resemble Levi—ready to rise and follow—or the scribes—quick to criticize who Jesus welcomes? The Church must imitate Christ by opening doors without lowering truth: welcoming people where they are, while guiding them to conversion. Personally, we are invited to name the “customs post” in our life—whatever keeps us seated in old patterns—and to rise. And like Levi, we are invited to use our homes, relationships, and resources to bring others near Jesus.
Eucharistic Connection
Jesus’ table fellowship in Levi’s house points toward the altar. In the Eucharist, Christ still sits at table with sinners—not because sin is unimportant, but because he comes as Savior. The Mass is where the Physician feeds the sick with the medicine of immortality, strengthening us to leave our old life behind and live as disciples. Every Eucharist is a renewed call: “Follow me.”
Messages / Call to Conversion
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Jesus sees you beyond your reputation; let his gaze become your hope.
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Rise from whatever keeps you “seated” in old habits—respond promptly to Christ’s call.
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Welcome Jesus into your “house”: your daily life, relationships, and decisions.
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Refuse the spirit of judgment; imitate Christ who seeks the lost with mercy.
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Approach Confession and the Eucharist as the Physician’s healing—then live renewed and help others come to him.
Outline for Preachers
• Background within the Gospel: authority to forgive (2:1–12) leading into the call of a public sinner
• Life connection: shame, feeling unworthy, fear of judgment, need for conversion
• Key verses and phrases explained: “Follow me,” rising, table fellowship, Physician of the sick
• Jewish historical and religious context: tax collectors, purity concerns, meaning of eating together
• Catholic teaching and tradition: conversion, Confession, Eucharist as mercy and transformation
• Saintly or historical illustration: St. Matthew/Levi as a life transformed by Christ
• Application to life today: welcoming without compromise, rejecting judgment, personal conversion
• Eucharistic connection: Christ’s table fellowship fulfilled at the altar
• Key messages and call to conversion
