Follow Me

Matthew 9:9–13 records the calling of Matthew (Levi), a tax collector, to follow Jesus. This passage reveals Jesus’ radical inclusivity, His challenge to social and religious norms, and His mission to call sinners rather than the self-righteous. The account also provides a window into first-century Jewish culture and the transformative nature of discipleship.

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Context and Summary of Matthew 9:9–13

Jesus encounters Matthew sitting at the tax booth and says, “Follow Me.” Matthew immediately rises and follows Him. Later, Jesus dines at Matthew’s house with many tax collectors and sinners. When the Pharisees question this, Jesus responds, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

This scene encapsulates Jesus’ mission: to extend grace to the marginalized and to redefine holiness as compassion rather than ritual purity.

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Jewish and Historical Background

1. Tax Collectors in Jewish Society

Tax collectors (mokhes in Hebrew) were viewed as collaborators with Rome and ritually unclean due to their contact with Gentiles and dishonest practices. For Jesus to call a tax collector as a disciple was socially scandalous, signaling His disregard for rigid purity boundaries.

2. The Phrase “Follow Me”

In Jewish rabbinic tradition, a disciple (talmid) followed a rabbi both physically and spiritually, learning by imitation. When Jesus said “Follow Me,” He was not merely inviting Matthew to travel with Him but to adopt His way of life and teaching. This command implied total allegiance, surpassing even family or occupation.

3. “I Desire Mercy, Not Sacrifice”

Jesus quotes Hosea 6:6, a prophetic critique of empty ritualism. In Hebrew, the word for “mercy” is **חֶסֶד (*chesed*)**, meaning steadfast love, covenant loyalty, and compassion. By invoking *chesed*, Jesus aligns Himself with the prophetic tradition that values inner transformation and mercy over ritual compliance.

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Jewish Thoughts on Thomas (Toma/Ta’om)

Though Thomas is not mentioned in this passage, Jewish thought about *Thomas* (from Aramaic *T’oma*, meaning “twin”) reflects a symbolic duality—faith and doubt, reason and revelation. In rabbinic literature, “doubt” (*safek*) is not condemned but seen as a stage toward deeper faith. Thomas’ later journey from skepticism to confession (“My Lord and my God”) mirrors a very Jewish process of wrestling with truth (*Israel* literally means “one who wrestles with God”).

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Historical Significance of “Follow Me”

In the first-century Jewish context, rabbis did not usually call disciples directly; disciples sought out rabbis. Jesus’ initiative reverses this pattern, demonstrating divine authority. His call to “Follow Me” was a summons to a new identity and mission — not merely to learn Torah but to embody the Kingdom of God. This act also symbolized the inclusion of the socially outcast into God’s covenant community.

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Three Applications for Today

1. Radical Inclusion

Jesus’ call to Matthew reminds believers to extend grace beyond social or moral boundaries. The church must welcome those whom society rejects.

2. Discipleship as Transformation

“Follow Me” demands more than belief; it calls for life reorientation. True discipleship involves leaving behind old identities and aligning one’s values with Christ’s.

3. Mercy Over Ritual

Jesus’ use of chesed challenges modern believers to prioritize compassion over religious formalism. Acts of mercy are the true expression of faith.

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Significant Jewish Word: Chesed (חֶסֶד)

Meaning: Loving-kindness, covenantal faithfulness, mercy.

Depth:Chesed is not mere emotion but loyal love expressed through action. It reflects God’s enduring commitment to His people and becomes the model for human relationships. When Jesus emphasizes mercy (*chesed*), He reaffirms the heart of the Torah — love of God and neighbor.

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In summary,

Matthew 9:9–13 reveals Jesus as a teacher who transcends social barriers, redefines holiness through mercy, and calls followers into transformative relationship. The Jewish roots of this passage—embodied in words like *talmid* and *chesed*—show that Jesus’ message was both deeply Jewish and profoundly revolutionary.