Mark 2:13-15
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
The Call of Levi. 13 [a](A)Once again he went out along the sea. All the crowd came to him and he taught them. 14 (B)As he passed by,[b] he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus, sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. 15 While he was at table in his house,[c] many tax collectors and sinners sat with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many who followed him.
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- 2:13 He taught them: see note on Mk 1:21–45.
- 2:14 As he passed by: see note on Mk 1:16–20. Levi, son of Alphaeus: see note on Mt 9:9. Customs post: such tax collectors paid a fixed sum for the right to collect customs duties within their districts. Since whatever they could collect above this amount constituted their profit, the abuse of extortion was widespread among them. Hence, Jewish customs officials were regarded as sinners (Mk 2:16), outcasts of society, and disgraced along with their families. He got up and followed him: i.e., became a disciple of Jesus.
- 2:15 In his house: cf. Mk 2:1; Mt 9:10. Lk 5:29 clearly calls it Levi’s house.
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