Matthew 9:9-13

Contemporary English Version

Jesus Chooses Matthew

(Mark 2.13-17; Luke 5.27-32)

⁹ As Jesus was leaving, he saw a tax collector^[a] named Matthew sitting at the place for paying taxes. Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” Matthew got up and went with him.

^10 (A) Later, Jesus and his disciples were having dinner at Matthew's house.^[b] Many tax collectors and other sinners were also there. ¹¹ Some Pharisees asked Jesus' disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and other sinners?”

¹² Jesus heard them and answered, “Healthy people don't need a doctor, but sick people do. ^13 (B) Go and learn what the Scriptures mean when they say, ‘Instead of offering sacrifices to me, I want you to be merciful to others.’ I didn't come to invite good people to be my followers. I came to invite sinners.”