Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 – The call of Matthew
The tax collector Jesus encounters (called Levi in Mark and in Luke) is probably not the author of the gospel. Most likely he already knew about Jesus and his mission; now he makes a decision for Christ. “Tax collectors” (v. 10) were morally suspect: they contracted with the occupying power and practised extortion. By “sinners” Matthew means members of despised trades considered ritually unclean. Jesus answers the Pharisees with a common-sense proverb, but realizes that a physician exposes himself to contagious diseases – here ritual impurities. In quoting God’s words from Hosea (“I desire mercy, not sacrifice”, v.13), Jesus challenges the Pharisees to examine what being a Pharisee really means. In v.14, when “disciples of John” the Baptist ask him why his disciples do not fast, he takes fasting as a sign of mourning; having “the bridegroom”, (v.15, God), with them is a joyous time. Jesus presents a new way of being which should be separate from the old but is compatible with it (vv. 16-17). Vv. 19-22 tell of a woman who is a pariah for, being continuously menstruant, she is always ritually unclean. She touches the “fringe” (v. 20) of Jesus’ prayer shawl; she has faith that Jesus will heal her. God responds to her faith. V. 18 begins the story of a religious leader who has faith that Jesus can restore his daughter to life. the hired mourners )”flute players”, v.23) play dirges; the crowd shows that she really is dead, but Jesus probably says (v. 24) that the girl is “sleeping” from the viewpoint of the Kingdom: physical death is not final. His words meet with disbelief.
© 1996-2025 Chris Haslam
Prayer of the Week
O Lord, from whom alone all good things come: grant that by your holy inspiration we may think those things that are good, and by your merciful guiding may perform them; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.