Jesus Calls Matthew^(A)

⁹ Jesus left that place, and as he walked along, he saw a tax collector, named Matthew, sitting in his office. He said to him, “Follow me.”

Matthew got up and followed him.

^10 (B)While Jesus was having a meal in Matthew's house,^[a] many tax collectors and other outcasts came and joined Jesus and his disciples at the table. ¹¹ Some Pharisees saw this and asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such people?”

¹² Jesus heard them and answered, “People who are well do not need a doctor, but only those who are sick. ^13 (C)Go and find out what is meant by the scripture that says: ‘It is kindness that I want, not animal sacrifices.’ I have not come to call respectable people, but outcasts.”

Jesus Calls Levi^(A)

²⁷ After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting in his office. Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” ²⁸ Levi got up, left everything, and followed him.

²⁹ Then Levi had a big feast in his house for Jesus, and among the guests was a large number of tax collectors and other people. ^30 (B)Some Pharisees and some teachers of the Law who belonged to their group complained to Jesus' disciples. “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and other outcasts?” they asked.

³¹ Jesus answered them, “People who are well do not need a doctor, but only those who are sick. ³² I have not come to call respectable people to repent, but outcasts.”