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Explanation for:
Matthew
9
:
9
And when Jesus passed on from hence, he saw a man sitting in the custom house, named Matthew; and he saith to him: Follow me. And he rose up and followed him.
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"The other gospel writers, out of their deep respect for Matthew, chose not to refer to him by his more familiar name, opting instead for Levi, recognizing that he had a dual name. Matthew identifies himself, in accordance with the wisdom of Solomon, who stated that “The righteous man is an accuser of himself” (Proverbs 18:18), and in another instance, “Say your sins, that you may be justified” (Isaiah 43:26). By calling himself Matthew, the tax collector, he illustrates to readers that no one should lose hope for their redemption if they turn toward righteousness, as he himself underwent a remarkable transformation from a tax collector to an apostle. Porphyry and Emperor Julian have made critical observations regarding this matter, suggesting that we either encounter a naive falsehood from the account's author or witness the folly of those who were quick to follow the Savior. They imply that it was irrational for the early followers to be so easily swayed by any one person. However, it is undeniable that the apostles witnessed numerous mighty works and miraculous signs prior to their faith. Indeed, the divine glory and splendor of God, which shone even through the human form, could captivate all who beheld Him. If it is said that there is such significant power in lodestones and amber that they attract various objects, how much more so could the Lord draw to Himself those whom He chose from among all creation."},{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"After Christ performed His miracle on the paralytic, He chose not to stay in Capernaum, as His presence might spark greater jealousy among the scribes. To mitigate their envy, He withdrawn. Similarly, we should avoid provoking our adversaries with our presence; at times, yielding and retreating serves to soothe their wrath. But why did the Savior not summon Matthew alongside Peter, John, and the others? Just as Christ approached His disciples when they were receptive to His message, He called Matthew at a moment when he was ready to follow. In the same way, He later called the apostle Paul after the Resurrection. Being aware of the hearts and inner thoughts of all people, He recognized the right time for each to respond to His call. Thus, He called Matthew not at the outset while he was still unresponsive, but after performing numerous miracles, spreading His reputation widely, and when Matthew was more prepared to obey.\\n\\nMatthew the evangelist’s discipline is also remarkable. He did not shy away from revealing his past life, proudly identifying himself, whereas others concealed their identities under assumed names. Why did the evangelist mention, “On the washing-trough she sits”? To highlight the Lord’s power—He did not wait for Matthew to abandon his dishonorable profession before calling him; instead, He reached out amid the corruption, much like He transformed blessed Paul, who was once a fierce persecutor of the church. Paul himself, eager to demonstrate the power of his Caller, shared with the Galatians: “For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently” (Galatians 1:13).\\n\\nThe Lord called fishermen while they were busy with their trade, which was not dishonorable, fitting for simple and uneducated folk. In contrast, the profession of tax collectors was notorious for its shamefulness, marked by unscrupulous gain and corruption disguised as legality. Yet, Matthew, the one who was called, showed no shame about his background; if Jesus willingly called a sinner like him, could it truly be surprising that He also accepted the tax collector as an apostle? Acknowledging the authority of His Caller, one must also recognize the obedience displayed by the called. He offered no resistance or hesitation and did not question, “What does it mean that the Lord calls me, a great sinner?” Such humility in doubt would have been out of place; instead, he obeyed promptly without even indicating a wish to consult family, unlike the fishermen. Just as they abandoned their nets, their boat, and their father, so too, Matthew left his vocation and earnings, demonstrating his immediate readiness to follow Jesus, thereby affirming the importance and appropriateness of his calling.\\n\\nOne might wonder why only the callings of Peter, James, John, and Philip are highlighted while the others remain unmentioned. The answer lies in their humble and lowly occupations. What is more humiliating than the call of a publican, and what could be deemed less significant than that of fishermen? Furthermore, Philip’s lowly origins are evident by his native land. Thus, the evangelists focus on these disciples and their jobs, wishing to establish credibility in recounting significant events. Indeed, if they do not shy away from the less honorable aspects when detailing the works of the Master and His disciples, recounting them with elaborate precision, why would they be suspected of distortion when narrating more glorious deeds? If they omit various signs and wonders of Jesus while narrating extensively about the incidents of the cross—seemingly humbling—and are unashamed to discuss the humble professions and impoverished backgrounds of the disciples, as well as the ancestry of the Master marked by sin or lack, it is clear that they valued the truth highly and wrote without bias or pretension."},{"author-name":"Chromatius of Aquileia","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88a3df6d7a747a33b4f4a_Chromatius%20of%20Aquileia.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":5,"exegesis-text":"To bestow salvation on all sinners who put their faith in Him, the Lord first affirmed the calling of Matthew, a former tax collector. This act of divine selection serves as a profound illustration of our redemption, demonstrating that any sinner can be called by God and receive the gift of eternal life through a sincere heart and a devoted spirit. In His sovereign will, God chose Matthew, who was engaged in earthly responsibilities but was honored with the words of the Lord, who, through the majesty of His divine essence, understands the innermost thoughts: Follow Me. The subsequent narrative reveals that Matthew was chosen by the Lord, not due to frivolity, but based on the qualities of faith and devotion. When the Lord commanded him to Follow Me, Matthew did not waver or postpone; instead, he immediately committed himself to follow Christ."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"He did not summon him together with Peter and John, but instead recognized the moment when he would have faith. At the appointed time, he called Paul. It is remarkable to see how the evangelist exposes his life, even though others have chosen to keep his name hidden, referring to him as Levi. His transformation through just a single word exemplifies the divine work of God."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"Observe how the evangelist takes no shame in his past. In deference to Matthew, Mark and Luke refer to him as Levi, the name he held before his calling. He openly acknowledges his former role as a tax collector, just as Christ took no shame in associating with him. This demonstrates the power of the One who chose him as a disciple, showcasing how easily He liberated him from the grips of corruption and shamelessness. The tax collector's booth is likened to that of a vendor. After proving His authority to forgive sins, Christ approaches the publican, likely to assuage any discomfort concerning his place among the disciples, reassuring onlookers that the One who forgives others’ sins will certainly forgive His own chosen follower. In recounting his own story, Matthew speaks of it with humility, as he had made a significant decision immediately upon encountering the Savior. He rose and followed Him. We should marvel at the complete obedience of the one who was called; he did not hesitate, consult with friends, or liquidate his possessions but swiftly arose and followed, abandoning the comforts of the world to single-mindedly obey the Caller’s command, much like those who were called before him. Yet, why do Matthew, Mark, and Luke recount only the calling of Peter, Andrew, James, John, and Matthew, without mentioning the others? It is likely because the trades of those mentioned were deemed more honorable than the others. The role of a moneylender was particularly despised, as was that of a fisherman. This is precisely why the evangelists are considered trustworthy; they do not shy away from revealing what might be seen as unflattering about the disciples. They record not only their flaws but also the grace they received. Similarly, while many miracles of Christ are omitted, His sufferings are fully shared, highlighting both the humility of the disciples and the greatness of Christ, as well as the immense sacrifice He made for us."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"As Jesus was traveling from the place where He had healed the paralytic to the Sea of Galilee, He came across a man sitting at the tax collector's booth in Capernaum, a commercial hub, named Matthew. The blessed Theophylact marvels at the Evangelist's honesty in acknowledging his past, noting that other Gospel writers concealed his identity by referring to him as Levi—a title more noble than the ordinary Matthew. This highlights the immense power of the Lord, who rescued Matthew from a life of sin, akin to how He transformed the blessed Paul when he was filled with fury against the Church. St. Chrysostom points out that tax collectors operated with a brazen and unscrupulous demeanor, engaging in theft disguised as legitimate taxation. Yet, the Lord who welcomed the sinful woman and allowed her to wash His feet with her tears did not shy away from this tax collector. Jesus came to heal not just the physical being but also the soul from its corruption. Many tax collectors were genuinely concerned about their spiritual well-being, anticipating the coming of Christ; some even sought out John the Baptist in the wilderness to hear his preaching and receive baptism to glorify God. Matthew may have been among those tax collectors; he possibly witnessed Christ’s miracles and absorbed His teachings, being moved by the reports about the great Wonderworker and ready to forsake his sinful occupation. Aware that Matthew would become an instrument of His will, Jesus extended a gracious invitation, saying, \\"Follow me, be my disciple.\\" Without hesitation, Matthew complied immediately, just as the fishermen had done: he rose and followed Him, discarding all the unrighteous wealth he had amassed to follow the Lord, who had no earthly place to rest His head. This illustrates the remarkable truth of how the wealthy can indeed pass through the eye of a needle to enter the kingdom of heaven! The Evangelist Luke notes that Matthew, whom he refers to as Levi, filled with joy for being called to be among the Lord’s disciples, prepared a grand feast for Him and His followers. The Lord, recognizing Matthew's affection and knowing that his transformation could inspire other tax collectors, honored him with this calling. St. Gregory of Nyssa comments that the Lord consistently showed great compassion toward sinners deserving of judgment—not to indulge in their wrongdoing but to impart His righteousness to them. Having realized from his own experience that Jesus does not reject tax collectors and sinners, Matthew invited many of his fellow tax collectors—his friends—to his home for an evening, so they too could hear the words of salvation from Christ the Savior. Indeed, St. Mark observes that many tax collectors chose to follow the Lord thereafter."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"At the location designated for collecting taxes, we find the reference to \\"sitting at the toll-house.\\" The Gospel writers Mark and Luke refer to this individual as Levi (see Mark 2:14; Luke 5:27-28). It was customary for Jews to hold two names. When Jesus said, \\"Follow Me,\\" He was inviting him to become a disciple (see Matthew 4:19 and related passages). The impact of the Lord’s command was profound; just one word from Him prompted the tax collector, a prosperous man like many in his profession, to forsake all he had (Luke 5:28) and to follow the Lord, who had nowhere to rest His head."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Feeling sorrow for the obstinacy of the Pharisees and their followers, Jesus departed from the courtyard where He had just performed a remarkable miracle. Upon leaving, He encountered a man notorious among the Jews for his sinful profession; this man was a tax collector named Levi. In the presence of His disciples, likely including some Pharisees who had followed Him, Jesus called out to Levi, saying, \\"Follow Me.\\" Although this tax collector was busy with his work and likely only heard of Jesus’ miracles without witnessing them firsthand, he instantly abandoned everything upon receiving the call and chose to follow Jesus. In contrast, the Pharisees and scribes, who had heard John’s testimony and observed Jesus’ miracles, did not become His disciples. This illustrates that sinners who recognize their shortcomings and genuinely seek repentance are closer to the kingdom of heaven than those who pride themselves on their perceived righteousness. The Evangelist Matthew refers to the tax collector who followed Jesus as Matthew, while according to the Evangelist Luke, he is identified as Levi, the son of Alphaeus. There is no contradiction here; all three Evangelists refer to the same individual, as confirmed by the consistency of their accounts. Each one indicates that Levi’s calling followed the healing of the paralytic, and given that there is no evidence to suggest Jesus called two tax collectors after healing the paralytic, it is clear that all three Evangelists are referring to one person, albeit with different names. The variation in names can be attributed to the Jewish custom of having multiple names. Luke and Mark likely referred to him as Levi, a name used by those engaged with him as a tax collector, while Matthew, the Evangelist, referred to himself as Matthew, a name presumably used by family and friends. Notably, both Mark and Luke later refer to this same tax collector as Matthew when listing the twelve Apostles. Furthermore, all three Evangelists recount the tax collector's invitation to Jesus and His disciples to dine at his home in a remarkably similar manner."},{"author-name":"Lopuchin A.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c891400ee1341634d2276d_Lopuchin%20A.P..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"He deemed it fitting to incorporate another individual into the circle of His dedicated disciples, whose calling emerged under extraordinary conditions. In or around Capernaum stood the customs house responsible for tax collection. Positioned at the crossroads leading to Tyre, Damascus, Jerusalem, and Sepphoris, it was a bustling commercial hub, making it a practical site for duties and taxes. These levies were particularly despised by the Jewish people. The obligation to pay such taxes affronted their sanctified sensibilities. They represented not merely political oppression, but also a stark reminder that God had withdrawn His favor from His chosen nation; the once-vibrant Messianic hopes and assurances that filled their historical narrative had diminished under the harsh reality of foreign domination by cruel conquerors. Consequently, the act of paying these taxes felt akin to an act of betrayal to the deeply sensitive Jew. They appeared to violate the very essence of the theocratic order and could only be justified under compulsion. Thus, it is unsurprising that the tax collectors were harshly scorned by the populace. It should be noted that in more remote areas, these collectors were not Roman officials - known as publicani - but rather their lesser subordinates, often drawn from the lower echelons of society. Their reputation for corruption was so pronounced that they were nearly reviled, often lumped together with sinners and harlots. If a Jew struggled to reconcile the legitimacy of paying taxes, it would be even more grievous for him to be made an agent, however untrustworthy, in their collection. While a publican in general was detested, the Jewish tax collector faced particular disdain from the community. Yet, He who came to seek and save the lost, who could cultivate holiness amidst pagan immorality, could transform even a Jewish tax collector into an apostle and the first evangelist of the new and living faith. In the selection of His apostles, He was not swayed by outward appearances, but penetrated the depths of the human soul. He turned away the esteemed scribe (Matthew 8:19) and instead chose the scorned tax collector. This selection was a remarkable demonstration of divine foresight and exceptional compassion, which St. Matthew validated by applying his writing skills to divine service, ultimately becoming the first chronicler of his Savior and Lord. It is plausible that Matthew witnessed some of Christ's conversations and miracles, which deeply touched his heart. In the eyes of the One who does not despise anyone, even while sitting at the tax booth, this tax collector was prepared to respond to a call. Just a single command, \\"Follow me,\\" was sufficient for Matthew. It revealed to him that the Lord cherished him and was willing to employ him as His chosen vessel to share the gospel within the kingdom of God. This realization empowered the publican to transcend the temptations of greed and abandon his previous occupation. \\"And he arose and followed Him,\\" transformed by the marvelous power of divine, redemptive love."},{"author-name":"Paul Matwejewski","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8969f5be0d592d5a10576_Paul%20Matwejewski.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"From Capernaum, Jesus Christ journeyed to the banks of Lake Gennesaret, followed relentlessly by a multitude of people. It was here that He encountered and called a new disciple, notably from the marginalized group of tax collectors. These individuals were despised by the populace due to their close ties with the Gentile oppressors of Palestine at that time, as well as their exploitative practices driven by greed. They collected more than what was deemed appropriate (Luke 3:12-13), causing offense to the people and abusing their positions (Luke 19:8). Hence, in the eyes of society, they were regarded alongside notorious criminals (Matthew 21:31), transgressors (Matthew 11:19; Luke 7:34), and non-Jews (Matthew 18:17). The Pharisees and legal experts held them in particular disdain, prideful of their own perceived righteousness (Luke 18:11), regarding any association with them as contamination and sinful. However, by choosing one of the tax collectors to be among His followers, the Lord demonstrated that even from among these individuals, some could be deemed worthy to enter into His mercy-filled kingdom. As Jesus passed by, He spotted a tax collector named Matthew, or Levi, son of Alphaeus, seated at the tax booth, and said to him, “Come, follow Me.” Understanding that Matthew was prepared to follow Him, the compassionate Savior witnessed the tax collector forsake his livelihood. In that moment, Matthew wholly embraced the call, renouncing all earthly attachments, and in a perfect act of obedience, affirmed the timeliness of his calling (St. John Chrysostom)."},{"author-name":"Bogolepow D.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"After the healing of the man who had been released from his afflictions, Jesus traveled to the shore. A multitude that had gathered around Him in the house followed closely, and He began to teach them. As He walked along the shoreline, Jesus noticed a man named Levi, also known as Matthew, seated at the tax booth. The Lord perceived in this tax collector a potential devoted disciple and summoned him to join Him."},{"author-name":"Alexander Gorsky","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8884037c1e1c51e1332e2_Alexander%20Gorsky.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Shortly after the previously mentioned event, the Lord returned to the shores of the lake of Gennesaret, where He once more called a disciple, this time Matthew, a tax collector rather than a common fisherman. To grasp the significance of this choice, it is essential to understand how a publican was viewed by orthodox Pharisees during that era. Tax collectors, who gathered money from the Jewish people for the Roman occupiers and often employed harsh tactics, including exploitation and oppression, were regarded as the lowest of the low in religious Judaea. However, not all tax collectors shared such moral depravity. The term publican was synonymous with the term sinner. By inviting Matthew to be among His closest followers, the Lord intended to demonstrate that He came to call the repentant to Him. This action illustrated that among those labeled as sinners, there are individuals no different from those who consider themselves righteous, and conversely, that among the so-called righteous, there are many who are truly sinful. Matthew's swift decision to heed the Lord's call reflected his worthiness of divine selection, yet he sought to further express his gratitude. Boldly, he invited the Lord to share a meal with him and his friends, many of whom were fellow tax collectors. The Lord, recognizing Matthew's affection and understanding the positive impact his actions might have on others in similar positions, accepted the invitation, hoping to convey a lesson to the Pharisees. Unfortunately, they failed to perceive the deeper meaning of His actions."}]}
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