New International VersionAs he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him.
New Living TranslationAs he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Levi got up and followed him.
English Standard VersionAnd as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.
Berean Standard BibleAs He was walking along, He saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth. “Follow Me,” He told him, and Levi got up and followed Him.
Berean Literal BibleAnd passing on, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and says to him, "Follow Me." And having arisen, he followed Him.
King James BibleAnd 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.
New King James VersionAs He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he arose and followed Him.
New American Standard BibleAs He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting in the tax office, and He said to him, “Follow Me!” And he got up and followed Him.
NASB 1995As He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting in the tax booth, and He said to him, “Follow Me!” And he got up and followed Him.
NASB 1977And as He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting in the tax office, and He said to him, “Follow Me!” And he rose and followed Him.
Legacy Standard BibleAnd as He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting in the tax office, and He said to him, “Follow Me!” And he stood up and followed Him.
Amplified BibleAs He was passing by, He saw Levi (Matthew) the son of Alphaeus sitting in the tax collector’s booth, and He said to him, “Follow Me [as My disciple, accepting Me as your Master and Teacher and walking the same path of life that I walk].” And he got up and followed Him [becoming His disciple, believing and trusting in Him and following His example].
Christian Standard BibleThen, passing by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax office, and he said to him, “Follow me,” and he got up and followed him.
Holman Christian Standard BibleThen, moving on, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax office, and He said to him, “Follow Me!” So he got up and followed Him.
American Standard VersionAnd as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alph�us sitting at the place of toll, and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.
Contemporary English VersionAs he walked along, he saw Levi, the son of Alphaeus. Levi was sitting at the place for paying taxes, and Jesus said to him, "Follow me!" So he got up and went with Jesus.
English Revised VersionAnd as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the place of toll, and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationWhen Jesus was leaving, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus, sitting in a tax office. Jesus said to him, "Follow me!" So Levi got up and followed him.
Good News TranslationAs he walked along, he saw a tax collector, Levi son of Alphaeus, sitting in his office. Jesus said to him, "Follow me." Levi got up and followed him.
International Standard VersionAs he was walking along, he saw Levi, the son of Alphaeus, sitting at the tax collector's desk. Jesus told him, "Follow me!" So Levi got up and followed him.
NET BibleAs he went along, he saw Levi, the son of Alphaeus, sitting at the tax booth. "Follow me," he said to him. And he got up and followed him.
New Heart English BibleAnd as he passed by, he saw Levi, the son of Alphaeus, sitting at the tax office, and he said to him, "Follow me." And he arose and followed him.
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alpheus, sitting at the receipt of custom, and said to him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
Weymouth New TestamentAnd as He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the Toll Office, and said to him, "Follow me." So he rose and followed Him. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAs He was walking along, He saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth. “Follow Me,” He told him, and Levi got up and followed Him.
World English BibleAs he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax office. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he arose and followed him. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand passing by, He saw Levi of Alpheus sitting at the tax office, and says to him, “Follow Me,” and he, having risen, followed Him.
Berean Literal BibleAnd passing on, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and says to him, "Follow Me." And having arisen, he followed Him.
Young's Literal Translation and passing by, he saw Levi of Alpheus sitting at the tax-office, and saith to him, 'Be following me,' and he, having risen, did follow him.
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd passing by, he saw Levi, him of Alpheus, sitting by the customhouse, and he says to him, Follow me. And having risen, he followed him. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd when he was passing by, he saw Levi the son of Alpheus sitting at the receipt of custom; and he saith to him: Follow me. And rising up, he followed him.
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd as he was passing by, he saw Levi of Alphaeus, sitting at the customs office. And he said to him, “Follow me.” And rising up, he followed him.
New American BibleAs 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.
New Revised Standard VersionAs he was walking along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus, sitting at the custom house, and he said to him, Follow me; and he got up and followed him.
Aramaic Bible in Plain EnglishAs he passed, he saw Levi, son of Khalphi, sitting down at the place of taxation and he said to him, “Come after me”, and rising he went after him. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentAnd as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the custom-house; and he said to him: Follow me. And he arose and followed him.
Godbey New TestamentAnd passing along, he saw Levi, the son of Alpheus sitting at the toll, and says to him, Follow me. And rising up, he followed Him.
Haweis New Testament
And passing by, he saw Levi the son of Alpheus sitting at the custom-house, and he saith to him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him
Mace New Testament
as he passed along, he saw Levi the son of Alpheus, sitting at the custom-house, and said to him, follow me, accordingly he arose and followed him.
Weymouth New Testament
And as He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the Toll Office, and said to him, "Follow me." So he rose and followed Him.
Worrell New Testament
And passing by, He saw Levi, the son of Alphaeus, sitting at the tax-office, and saith to him,"Follow Me." And, rising up, he followed Him.
Worsley New Testament
And as He went along, He saw Levi the son of Alpheus, sitting at thereceit of custom, and saith unto him,Follow me: and he rose up and followed Him.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Calling of Levi13Once again Jesus went out beside the sea. All the people came to Him, and He taught them there. 14As He was walking along,He sawLevisonof Alphaeussittingatthetax booth.“FollowMe,”He toldhim,andLevi got upand followedHim.15While Jesus was dining at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with Him and His disciples—for there were many who followed Him.…
Cross References Matthew 9:9As 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.
Luke 5:27-28After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the tax booth. “Follow Me,” He told him, / and Levi got up, left everything, and followed Him.
Matthew 10:3Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;
Luke 6:15Matthew and Thomas; James son of Alphaeus and Simon called the Zealot;
Acts 1:13When they arrived, they went to the upper room where they were staying: Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.
Matthew 21:31-32Which of the two did the will of his father?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you. / For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.
Luke 19:2-10And there was a man named Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector, who was very wealthy. / He was trying to see who Jesus was, but could not see over the crowd because he was small in stature. / So he ran on ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see Him, since Jesus was about to pass that way. ...
Matthew 11:19The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at this glutton and drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is vindicated by her actions.”
Luke 7:34The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at this glutton and drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’
Acts 9:11“Get up!” the Lord told him. “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying.
Hosea 6:6For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
1 Samuel 16:7But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.”
Isaiah 1:18“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool.
Ezekiel 18:27But if a wicked man turns from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he will save his life.
Micah 6:8He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?
Treasury of Scripture And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said to him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him. he saw. Mark 3:18 And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James theson of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite, Matthew 9:9 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. Luke 5:27 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. Alphaeus. Mark 3:18 And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James theson of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite, Luke 6:15 Matthew and Thomas, James theson of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes, Acts 1:13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, Jamesthe son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judasthe brother of James. receipt of custom. Mark 1:17-20 And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men… Matthew 4:19-22 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men… Jump to Previous AlphaeusAlpheusBoothCollector'sCustomFollowFollowedFollowingJesusLeviOfficePassedReceiptRisenRoseSeatedSittingTaxTaxesTax-OfficeTollWalkedJump to Next AlphaeusAlpheusBoothCollector'sCustomFollowFollowedFollowingJesusLeviOfficePassedReceiptRisenRoseSeatedSittingTaxTaxesTax-OfficeTollWalkedMark 2 1.Jesus followed by multitudes,3.heals a paralytic;13.calls Matthew;15.eats with tax collectors and sinners;18.excuses his disciples for not fasting;23.and for picking the heads of grain on the Sabbath day.As He was walking alongThis phrase indicates Jesus' active ministry, often characterized by movement and engagement with the people. Jesus frequently traveled through towns and villages, teaching and performing miracles. His itinerant lifestyle reflects the urgency and outreach of His mission, as seen in other passages like Matthew 9:35. He saw Levi son of Alphaeus
Levi, also known as Matthew, is identified as the son of Alphaeus. This name is significant as it connects him to a specific family lineage, though not much is known about Alphaeus. Levi's other name, Matthew, is more commonly used in the Gospel of Matthew, where he is listed among the twelve apostles (Matthew 10:3). The dual name may indicate a transformation or new identity in Christ, similar to Simon Peter. sitting at the tax booth
Tax booths were common in Roman-occupied territories, where tax collectors gathered tolls and taxes. Levi's position as a tax collector would have made him unpopular among the Jewish people, as tax collectors were often seen as collaborators with the Roman authorities and were notorious for extortion. This context highlights the radical nature of Jesus' call, as He reaches out to those marginalized by society. “Follow Me,” He told him
Jesus' invitation to "Follow Me" is a direct call to discipleship. This command is central to Jesus' ministry, as He calls individuals to leave their former lives and commit to His teachings and mission. The call to follow is not just physical but spiritual, requiring a transformation of heart and priorities. This phrase echoes similar calls to other disciples, such as Peter and Andrew inMatthew 4:19. and Levi got up and followed Him
Levi's immediate response demonstrates his willingness to leave his lucrative position and social status to follow Jesus. This act of obedience and faith is significant, as it shows the power of Jesus' call and the transformative impact it has on individuals. Levi's decision to follow Jesus is a testament to the compelling nature of Christ's presence and message, paralleling the responses of other disciples who left everything to follow Him (Luke 5:11). Persons / Places / Events 1. JesusThe central figure of the New Testament, the Son of God, who calls Levi to follow Him. 2. Levi (Matthew)Also known as Matthew, he is a tax collector, a profession often despised by the Jewish people for its association with Roman oppression and corruption. 3. AlphaeusThe father of Levi, mentioned to identify Levi's lineage. 4. Tax BoothThe place where Levi was working when Jesus called him. It symbolizes Levi's old life and profession. 5. CapernaumWhile not mentioned directly in this verse, it is the setting for much of Jesus' early ministry, including this event. Teaching Points The Call of Jesus is Personal and DirectJesus calls Levi by name, indicating that His call to follow Him is personal. We, too, are called individually by Christ to follow Him. Immediate ObedienceLevi's response to Jesus' call is immediate. This teaches us the importance of responding promptly to God's call in our lives. Leaving the Old Life BehindLevi leaves his tax booth, symbolizing a departure from his old life. Following Jesus often requires us to leave behind our past and embrace a new identity in Christ. Inclusivity of Jesus' CallJesus calls a tax collector, someone marginalized and despised, showing that His call is for everyone, regardless of their past or social status. Transformation and PurposeLevi's transformation from a tax collector to an apostle demonstrates the transformative power of Jesus' call and the new purpose He gives to our lives. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Mark 2
Mark 2:14 – Given the uncertainty around “Levi” and “Matthew,” could this naming discrepancy indicate a historical or textual inconsistency?
Who is the author of the Book of Matthew?
Matthew 9:9: Is there any historical evidence that a tax collector named Matthew abruptly abandoned his profession to follow Jesus?
Is Christianity a religion or a personal relationship?(14-17) Levi the son of Alphaeus.--See Notes on Matthew 9:9-13. St. Mark and St. Luke agree in giving the name Levi, the former alone describes him as the son of Alphaeus.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek As He was walking along,παράγων(paragōn)Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3855:To pass by, depart, pass away. From para and ago; to lead near, i.e. to go along or away.He sawεἶδεν(eiden)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3708:Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.LeviΛευὶν(Leuin)Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3018:(Hebrew), Levi, son of Alphaeus, the publican. A form of Leui; Lewis, a Christian.[son]τὸν(ton)Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.of AlphaeusἉλφαίου(Halphaiou)Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 256:Alphaeus; apparently two persons, (a) father of Levi, and (b) father of James. Of Hebrew origin; Alphoeus, an Israelite.sittingκαθήμενον(kathēmenon)Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2521:To sit, be seated, enthroned; I dwell, reside. From kata; and hemai; to sit down; figuratively, to remain, reside.atἐπὶ(epi)Preposition
Strong's 1909:On, to, against, on the basis of, at.theτὸ(to)Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.tax booth.τελώνιον(telōnion)Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5058:A tax-collector's office, toll-house. Neuter of a presumed derivative of telones; a tax-gatherer's place of business.“FollowἈκολούθει(Akolouthei)Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 190:To accompany, attend, follow. Properly, to be in the same way with, i.e. To accompany.Me,”μοι(moi)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473:I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.He toldλέγει(legei)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3004:(a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.him,αὐτῷ(autō)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.[Levi] got upἀναστὰς(anastas)Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 450:To raise up, set up; I rise from among (the) dead; I arise, appear. From ana and histemi; to stand up.[and] followedἠκολούθησεν(ēkolouthēsen)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 190:To accompany, attend, follow. Properly, to be in the same way with, i.e. To accompany.Him.αὐτῷ(autō)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.
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NT Gospels: Mark 2:14 As he passed by he saw Levi (Mar Mk Mr) |
