Mark 2 - Levi/Matthew
Levi Had a House
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“And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him. And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him.”
Mark 2:14-15 KJV
“And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me. And he left all, rose up, and followed him. And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them.”
Luke 5:27-29 KJV
“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. 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.”
Matthew 9:9-10 KJV
Happened After Palsy Miracle
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“But 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.”
Matthew 9:6 KJV
“But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)”
Mark 2:10 KJV
“But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.”
Luke 5:24 KJV
Publicans Were Not Allowed Near Temple or Synagogue
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“The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.”
Luke 18:11 KJV
Capernaum a Small Area
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“And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever.”
Matthew 8:14 KJV
“And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.”
Mark 1:29-30 KJV
“And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon's house. And Simon's wife's mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her.”
Luke 4:38 KJV
Matthew Was Humble
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Matthew had the experience with handling money so why wasn’t he the treasurer?
“This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.”
John 12:6 KJV
“For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.”
John 13:29 KJV
Purpose
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“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
Luke 19:10 KJV
Follow
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If you read Luke 9:62 in its entire context, it speaks of people who said that they would follow Jesus only after they took care of some personal matters first (Luke 9:59-61). Jesus said that if you're to be a part of His ministry you must look ahead and not dwell upon the matters of this world. This is what Matthew did in Matthew 9:9-10. Jesus wants us to seek Him first and then all other things shall be taken care of (Matthew 6:33).
