Mat 9:9-17 | PNT | STEP | Saw a man, named Matthew . Compare . Such is the modest introduction of himself that Matthew gives. He was also called Levi ( ). At the receipt of custom . He was a tax collector, a publican, whose business it was to collect the Roman taxes. Follow me . Like Peter, Andrew, James and John, he was called from his business, and left at once. Like them, he was probably a disciple of John, and before this a disciple of Jesus, but now called to apostleship. Arose, and followed . Thus promptly the call of Jesus ought always to be obeyed.

Matthew 9:9-17

Saw a man, named Matthew. Compare Mr 2:13-17 Lu 5:27-32. Such is the modest introduction of himself that Matthew gives. He was also called Levi (Lu 5:27).

At the receipt of custom. He was a tax collector, a publican, whose business it was to collect the Roman taxes.

Follow me. Like Peter, Andrew, James and John, he was called from his business, and left at once. Like them, he was probably a disciple of John, and before this a disciple of Jesus, but now called to apostleship.

Arose, and followed. Thus promptly the call of Jesus ought always to be obeyed. As he sat at meat. At a meal.

In the house. The house of Matthew. Matthew made a feast (Mr 2:15 Lu 5:29).

Many publicans and sinners came. Matthew's old associates. They were invited.

Publicans. Collectors of the Roman tax, usually Jews, but hated because they collected a hateful tax, often, too, grasping and unscrupulous.

Sinners. Persons excommunicated from the synagogue. An orthodox Jew would not eat with them. When the term "sinner" is applied to a woman, it usually means an outcast. When the Pharisees saw [it]. They were not at feast, but were on the watch.

Why eateth your Master? etc. The strict Jews would not eat with Gentiles, and these classes were regarded by them on a level with the heathen (Ac 11:3 Ga 2:12). They that be whole need not a physician, etc. In other words, "If these people are as sinful as you allege, they are the very ones who need a Savior". I will have mercy, and not sacrifice. See Ho 6:6. The Pharisees had never learned the meaning of this passage, which teaches that kind hearts and helpful deeds are more pleasing to God than outward ceremonial. Sacrifice is right, but mercy is first in importance.

I am not come to call the righteous, etc. My mission in the world is to save sinners. Disciples of John. Some who still held aloof from Christ, and really sympathized with the Pharisees (Lu 5:33).

Why do we and the Pharisees fast often? The Pharisees fasted twice a week (Lu 18:12), and these disciples imitated them. They could not understand why he did not require similar austerities. The children of the bridechamber mourn. The friends of the bridegroom, for the bride was brought to his father's house. Fasting was usually a sign of sorrow. He was himself the Bridegroom, and still with his disciples.

When the bridegroom shall be taken from them. An allusion especially to the crushing sorrow when he was crucified and buried. Real fasting takes place when there is real occasion for it. See Ac 13:2 14:23 2Co 6:5 11:27. No man putteth, etc. Two illustrations follow to show the folly of patching up, or reforming, an old, worn out religion like Judaism.

New cloth. Cloth that has been shrunk. In shrinking it would tear the old cloth around it, and make a worse rent than before. Neither do men put new wine into old bottle. New wine is unfermented wine. The bottles were not of glass, but of skin, the kind that is still used in Palestine, where nothing changes. Old skin bottles would become tender with age and burst during the fermentation of the wine.