Mark 2:13-17 describes Jesus calling Levi, a tax collector, to follow him. Levi hosted a large feast at his house for Jesus and other tax collectors and outcasts. When the Pharisees criticized Jesus for eating with such people, Jesus responded that he had come "to call sinners, not the righteous."

1. Text: Mark 2:13-17
Memory Verse: Mark 2:17

2. Disciple- a student follower.
Apostle- one who is sent out.
Outcast- a person who has been rejected or
excluded from a social group.
Pharisee- a member of a religious group who strictly
followed the Jewish religious laws.
Tax- money collected to be paid to the government.
Tax collector- someone who collected money from
the people for the Roman government.
Publican- another name for a tax collector.
Respectable people- having good manners and good
character .

3. Duties are paid on imported items. Example- clothing, air
conditioners, and radios, to name a few.
Businesses pay stamp tax on imports for resale.
Taxes are also paid on property

4. Taxes are used to develop a country. The government
uses the money for work it has to do.
Some examples
To build schools, hospitals and other government
buildings.
To construct roads and sidewalks

5. Tax Collectors collected taxes for the Roman
Government.
They were called sinners by the Pharisees because
they did not follow the Jewish laws.
They were treated like outcasts .
They overcharged the people and kept excess or
extras for themselves.
People who collect taxes or duties in The Bahamas are
called Custom Officers.

6. 13 Jesus went back again to the shore of Lake
Galilee. A crowd came to him, and he started
teaching them.
 14 As he walked along, he saw a tax
collector, Levi son of Alphaeus, sitting in his
office. Jesus said to him, "Follow me." Levi got
up and followed him.
 15 Later on Jesus was having a meal in Levi's
house. A large number of tax collectors and
other outcasts was following Jesus, and many
of them joined him and his disciples at the
table.

7. 16 Some teachers of the Law, who were
Pharisees, saw that Jesus was eating with
these outcasts and tax collectors, so they
asked his disciples, "Why does he eat
with such people?“
 17 Jesus heard them and answered,
"People who are well do not need a
doctor, but only those who are sick. I
have not come to call respectable people,
but outcasts."

8. Levi was the son of Alphaeus
A Publican/tax collector
His office was located in Capernaum by the
seaside of Galilee.
He responded to Jesus after a simple “follow
me” invitation.
He hosted a large feast and shared his new faith.
His name was changed to Matthew and later he
became the author of the Gospel of Matthew.

9. Levi left everything and followed Jesus.
He hosted a feast at his house and Jesus attended.
Jesus and his other disciples and many other tax
collectors were at the party.

10. Jesus calls Levi

11. The Pharisees became angry because Jesus was eating
with sinners.

12. Jesus was concerned with the way persons were being
treated and did not believe in segregating himself
from sinners.
Jesus compared himself to a doctor and said, “people
who are well do not need a doctor, but only those
who are sick.”
Jesus also made it clear that He did not come to call
the respectable people but the outcasts.

13. Jesus’ response shows us that He came to call people
who did not live a Godly life.
Jesus wanted to teach us to love and forgive sinners.
We can help sinners to change their lifestyle by
spending time with them and showing them a better
way .
Because of love, forgiveness, and acceptance, sinners
often change their lifestyles and follow Jesus’
teachings.
For example Levi, who latter became the author of the
Gospel of Matthew.

14. 1. What was the occupation of Levi? (1)
2. Why were people like Levi hated by Jews? (2)
3. Give the name of three (3) groups of people who
would be considered as outcasts today. (3)
4. Who were the other dinner guest at the house of
Levi when Jesus had dinner with him? (2)
5. Explain why the Pharisees were angry with Jesus?
(2)
6. How did Jesus respond to the Pharisees? (2)
7. What might Christians learn about responding to
sinners. (2)

15. The end