King James Version

What Does Mark 2:14 Mean?

Mark 2:14 in the King James Version says “And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And...” — study this verse from Mark chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him. at the: or, at the place where the custom was received”

Mark 2:14 · KJV

Context

12

And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.

13

And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them.

14

And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him. at the: or, at the place where the custom was received

15

And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him.

16

And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
As he passed by he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at receipt of custom and said unto him Follow me. As passed by Jesus moving through Capernaum. He saw eiden active observation seeking. Levi Matthew tax collector. Son of Alphaeus family identification. Sitting at receipt of custom telōnion tax booth collection station. Custom duties tariffs on goods. Said legei present tense ongoing authority. Unto him directly personally. Follow me akolouthei same call to Peter Andrew James John. Tax collectors were despised as traitors collaborating with Rome. Jesus calls notorious sinner shocking religious sensibilities. Demonstrates grace reaches worst sinners. Levi immediate obedience abandoned lucrative position. Reformed theology emphasizes irresistible grace effectual calling. God chooses unlikely people for His purposes. Social outcasts included in kingdom.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Tax collectors bid for collection rights paid Rome then collected from people. System invited corruption extortion. Tax collectors considered traitors ceremonially unclean avoided by religious Jews. Levis booth likely on trade route through Capernaum. Lucrative position Levi wealthy enough to host large banquet. His immediate response abandoning wealth demonstrates power of Jesus call. Matthew later wrote first Gospel former tax collector became apostle and author. Demonstrates radical transformation possible through Christ. Early church welcomed converts from all backgrounds prostitutes tax collectors persecutors. Paul formerly Pharisee who persecuted church became greatest missionary. Grace transforms worst sinners into greatest saints.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Jesus calling despised tax collector teach about grace reaching unlikely people?
  2. How does Levi immediate abandonment of wealth challenge contemporary reluctance to sacrifice for Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 20 words
καὶ1 of 20

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

παράγων2 of 20

“as he passed by”

G3855

to lead near, i.e., (reflexively or intransitively) to go along or away

εἶδεν3 of 20

“he saw”

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

Λευὶν4 of 20

“Levi”

G3018

lewis (i.e., levi), a christian

τὸν5 of 20
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

τοῦ6 of 20
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἁλφαίου7 of 20

“the son of Alphaeus”

G256

alphaeus, an israelite

καθήμενον8 of 20

“sitting”

G2521

and ???? (to sit; akin to the base of g1476); to sit down; figuratively, to remain, reside

ἐπὶ9 of 20

“at”

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τὸ10 of 20
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

τελώνιον11 of 20

“the receipt of custom”

G5058

a tax-gatherer's place of business

καὶ12 of 20

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

λέγει13 of 20

“said”

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

αὐτῷ14 of 20

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἠκολούθησεν15 of 20

“Follow”

G190

properly, to be in the same way with, i.e., to accompany (specially, as a disciple)

μοι16 of 20

“me”

G3427

to me

καὶ17 of 20

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἀναστὰς18 of 20

“he arose”

G450

to stand up (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)

ἠκολούθησεν19 of 20

“Follow”

G190

properly, to be in the same way with, i.e., to accompany (specially, as a disciple)

αὐτῷ20 of 20

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Mark. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Mark 2:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Mark 2:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Luke 5:27-32Luke 6:15Mark 1:17-20Matthew 9:9-13Matthew 4:19-22Mark 3:18

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