Who is Matthew in this passage and why was his job despised?

Matthew is the man Jesus calls while he is sitting at the tax booth. He worked as a tax collector, which many Jews saw as a shameful job. Tax collectors worked for the Roman rulers and were often known for taking more money than they should. Because of this, people treated them as traitors and serious sinners. When Jesus calls Matthew, it shows that Jesus does not limit his call to respectable people, but reaches out even to those others look down on.

Why did Jesus tell Matthew to “Follow me,” and what did Matthew do?

When Jesus said, “Follow me,” he was calling Matthew to leave his old life and become his disciple. Matthew was sitting at the tax booth, busy with his work, but when he heard Jesus’ call, he got up and followed him at once. This quick response shows the strong pull of Jesus’ words and the work of God in Matthew’s heart. It also gives a picture of what it means to follow Jesus, leaving sin and old ways behind to walk with him.

Why was Jesus eating with tax collectors and sinners?

Jesus was eating with tax collectors and other people known as sinners because he came to reach those who knew they were far from God. Matthew, after being called, seems to have invited his old friends so they could meet Jesus too. By sitting at the table with them, Jesus was not joining in their old sins but offering them grace and a new life. This meal shows that his welcome is wide and that he seeks people others are quick to reject.

Why were the Pharisees upset about Jesus eating with sinners?

The Pharisees were strict religious leaders who cared a lot about staying separate from people they saw as unclean or sinful. When they saw Jesus eating with tax collectors and sinners, they thought this proved he could not be from God. Instead of asking Jesus directly, they questioned his disciples. Their reaction shows a proud attitude, as if they did not see their own sin. They cared more about keeping up an appearance of purity than about seeing broken people restored.

What does Jesus mean by “They that be whole need not a physician”?

When Jesus says, “They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick,” he is comparing himself to a doctor. A doctor’s work is to help sick people, not those who are already well. In the same way, Jesus came for those who know they are sinners and need forgiveness. He is not saying that some people are truly without sin, but that many, like the Pharisees, think they are fine and do not feel their need. Only those who admit they are spiritually sick will seek his healing.

What does “I will have mercy, and not sacrifice” mean here?

When Jesus says, “I will have mercy, and not sacrifice,” he is quoting from the Old Testament to correct the Pharisees. Sacrifice refers to religious acts and ceremonies, which have their place, but God cares more about a heart that shows mercy to others. The Pharisees focused on rules and outward religion while looking down on people in need of grace. Jesus is telling them that God wants compassion, kindness, and love toward sinners more than empty religious acts without a merciful heart.

What does it mean that Jesus came to call sinners, not the righteous?

When Jesus says he did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance, he is explaining his mission. He came for people who know they have sinned and are ready to turn back to God. He did not come to approve people who think they are already good enough. Those who see themselves as righteous often feel no need to repent. This saying invites honest self-examination, to see ourselves as sinners in need of mercy, and to respond to his call by turning from sin to him.

How does this passage show God’s grace and mercy?

This passage shows God’s grace and mercy in several clear ways. Jesus calls Matthew, a man from a hated and sinful trade, and makes him a follower. He then sits and eats with many tax collectors and sinners, treating them as guests rather than outcasts. His words about being a physician for the sick and calling sinners to repentance show that he came to help, not to crush. All of this reveals a God who moves toward the broken, offers forgiveness, and welcomes those others might avoid.

How can believers today apply Jesus’ example with sinners?

Believers today can apply this passage by remembering that Jesus did not avoid people with bad pasts or ugly reputations. Instead, he moved toward them with truth and mercy. This means we should not look down on others as if we are better, but be willing to befriend and share the good news with those who are far from God. At the same time, like Matthew, those who have been shown grace should want others to meet Jesus too, inviting them to hear and respond to his call to repentance.

Matt.9.9

Matthew 9:9

KJV Jesus

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.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.