Teks -- Mark 2:14 (NET)

2:14 As he went along, he saw Levi, the son of Alphaeus, sitting at the tax booth. “Follow me,” he said to him. And he got up and followed him.

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Robertson: Mar 2:14 - And as he passed by

And as he passed by ( kai paragōn ).

Present participle active, was passing by. Jesus was constantly on the alert for opportunities to do good. An unlikely specimen was Levi (Matthew), son of Alpheus, sitting at the toll-gate (telōnion ) on the Great West Road from Damascus to the Mediterranean. He was a publican (telōnēs ) who collected toll for Herod Antipas. The Jews hated or despised these publicans and classed them with sinners (hamartōloi ). The challenge of Jesus was sudden and sharp, but Levi (Matthew) was ready to respond at once. He had heard of Jesus and quickly decided. Great decisions are often made on a moment’ s notice. Levi is a fine object lesson for business men who put off service to Christ to carry on their business.

Vincent: Mar 2:14

See on Mat 9:9.

Wesley: Mar 2:14

Mat 9:9; Luk 5:27.

Clarke: Mar 2:14 - Levi

Levi - The same as Matthew; he appears to have been a Jew, though employed in the odious office of a tax-gatherer. For an account of his call, see his Gospel, Mat 9:9, etc.

Defender: Mar 2:14 - Levi

Levi is the same as Matthew (see note on Mat 9:9)."

TSK: Mar 2:14 - he saw // Alphaeus // receipt of custom // Follow me

he saw : Mar 3:18; Mat 9:9; Luk 5:27

Alphaeus : Mar 3:18; Luk 6:15; Act 1:13

receipt of custom : or, place where the custom was received

Follow me : Mar 1:17-20; Mat 4:19-22

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: Mar 2:14-17

Ver. 14-17. We had this piece of history with some addition in Mat 9:9-13 , where he was called Matthew: Mark and Luke both call him Levi: it was ordinary with the Jews to have two names. See Poole on "Mat 9:9" .

Haydock: Mar 2:14

To follow Christ, is to imitate him; wherefore this apostle, that he might be able to follow Christ, the model of poverty, not so much by his bodily steps, as by the inward affections of his soul, forsook all; he not only forsook his present goods, but despised all danger, which he incurred by leaving his business abruptly, and without rendering any account of it to his employers or governors. (Ven. Bede) ---

The person to whom Christ addresses the words, follow me, was Matthew: see Matthew ix. 9.

Gill: Mar 2:14 - 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

And as he passed by,.... As he went from Simon's house, and from the city of Capernaum, to go to the sea side:

he saw Levi, the son of Alphaeus; the same with Matthew, Mat 9:9, and son to the same Alphaeus as James was, Mat 10:3, Beza's most ancient copy reads "James", instead of "Levi", very wrongly; but he was the brother of James, and also of Simon and Jude; so that there were four brothers of them apostles: and if Joses, called Barsabas, was the same Joses that was brother to these, as seems probable, a fifth was put up for an apostle, though the lot fell on Matthias. James, and Joses, and Simon, and Jude, are mentioned together, Mat 13:55, because they lived together, and were men of religion and seriousness, and known by their neighbours; but Matthew, or Levi, is not mentioned: it is thought, by some, probable, that he was a loose, extravagant young man, and so might depart from his father's family, and enter into this scandalous employment of a publican; and herein went contrary to his father's will, Cleophas, or Alphaeus, who was the husband of the sister of Mary, the mother of our Lord:

sitting at the receipt of custom; the toll booth, or custom house, where he sat to take toll of passengers that came, or went in ships or boats, The Syriac version renders it, "sitting among the toll gatherers"; and the Persic, "among publicans"; not only signifying the business in which he was, but the company he was among; which makes the grace of Christ the more illustrious and distinguishing, in looking upon him, and calling him:

and said unto him, follow me; and he arose, and followed him. Christ, the great shepherd of the sheep, who came to seek, in order to save that which was lost, was now locking up his lost sheep; and Matthew, or Levi, being one of them, he finds him, and calls him by his grace. Christ is always first with his people; he first seeks them, and then they seek him; he first finds them, and then they find him; yea, he is found of them that sought him not. Levi took no notice of him, inquired not about him, and had no thought of leaving his employ; and going after him, but Christ knew him: his eye was upon him as he passed by him, and his time was a time of love, and so a time of life; he looked upon him, and said unto him, live; quickening power went along with his words, and he arose, and left all, and followed him: Christ, as the good shepherd, went before; and Levi, through the grace that was now given him, as one of his sheep, heard and knew his voice, and, without the least hesitation or reluctance, quitted his business, and became a follower of him. How powerful is efficacious grace! what is it, it can not do! it turns the heart of a sinner at once, inclines it to Christ, and causes it to leave all for his sake; it at once fills the soul with love to Christ, faith in him, and obedience to him; it works powerfully, and yet freely; it always obtains, and effects what it designs, yet puts no force upon the will: Levi, under the drawings of divine grace, followed Christ most willingly and cheerfully; See Gill on Mat 9:9.