The Call of Levi

27 After that He went out and noticed a tax collector named Levi sitting in the tax booth , and He said to him, "Follow Me." 28 And he left everything behind , and got up and began to follow Him. 29 And Levi gave a big reception for Him in his house ; and there was a great crowd of tax collectors and other people who were reclining at the table with them. 30 The Pharisees and their scribes began grumbling at His disciples , saying , "Why e do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners ?" 31 And Jesus answered and said to them, " It is not those who are well who need a physician , but those who are sick . 32 "I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance ."

The Question about Fasting

33 And they said to Him, " The disciples of John often fast and offer prayers , the disciples of the Pharisees also do the same , but Yours eat and drink ." 34 And Jesus said to them, "You cannot e make the attendants of the bridegroom fast while e the bridegroom is with them, can you? 35 " But the days will come ; and when the bridegroom is taken away from them, then they will fast in those days ." 36 And He was also telling them a parable : "No one tears a piece of cloth from a new garment and puts it on an old garment ; otherwise he will both tear the new , and the piece from the new will not match the old . 37 "And no one puts new wine into old wineskins ; otherwise the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled out, and the skins will be ruined . 38 "But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins . 39 "And no one , after drinking old wine wishes for new ; for he says , 'The old is good enough.' "

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 5:27-39

Commentary on Luke 5:27-39

(Read Luke 5:27-39)

It was a wonder of Christ's grace, that he would call a publican to be his disciple and follower. It was a wonder of his grace, that the call was made so effectual. It was a wonder of his grace, that he came to call sinners to repentance, and to assure them of pardon. It was a wonder of his grace, that he so patiently bore the contradiction of sinners against himself and his disciples. It was a wonder of his grace, that he fixed the services of his disciples according to their strength and standing. The Lord trains up his people gradually for the trials allotted them; we should copy his example in dealing with the weak in faith, or the tempted believer.