Luke 5:27 kjv

And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me.

Luke 5:27 nkjv

After these things He went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, "Follow Me."

Luke 5:27 niv

After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. "Follow me," Jesus said to him,

Luke 5:27 esv

After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, "Follow me."

Luke 5:27 nlt

Later, as Jesus left the town, he saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at his tax collector's booth. "Follow me and be my disciple," Jesus said to him.

Luke 5 verses

Luke 5 27 Meaning

Luke 5:27 describes Jesus calling Levi, a tax collector, to follow Him. This immediate and radical act showcases Jesus' authority to command, the unconditional nature of His call to even social outcasts, and the transformative power that prompts immediate obedience and abandonment of a previous life.

Luke 5 27 Context

Luke 5:27 occurs immediately after Jesus demonstrates His divine authority by healing a paralytic and declaring the forgiveness of his sins, a deed that sparks controversy among the Pharisees and scribes who question His blasphemous claim. By calling Levi, a tax collector (Matthew), Jesus extends His ministry beyond physical healing to spiritual restoration and further challenges the social and religious norms of the day. The events of Luke chapter 5 highlight Jesus' power over disease and sin, His choosing of disciples, and the initial confrontations with religious leaders over His association with "sinners" and practices concerning fasting. Levi's call sets the stage for the feast where Jesus famously declares His mission to call sinners, not the righteous.

Luke 5 27 Word analysis

• And after these things (Καὶ μετὰ ταῦτα, Kai meta tauta): This phrase indicates a chronological sequence, linking Levi's calling directly to the preceding events of healing and asserting divine authority (Luke 5:17-26). It shows Jesus' continuous and proactive engagement in His ministry, moving from one significant act to the next without pause.
• he went out (ἐξῆλθεν, exēlthen): Implies Jesus' purposeful movement away from the location of the previous event (likely the house or synagogue where the paralytic was healed) to a public space. This "going out" highlights His active pursuit of those He intended to call.
• and saw (καὶ εἶδεν, kai eiden): More than a mere glance, this implies a specific, discerning observation. Jesus sees Levi not just as a tax collector but as an individual ready for His call, demonstrating His divine knowledge of the heart.
• a publican (τελώνην, telōnen): Refers to a tax collector. In 1st-century Judea, telōnes were universally despised by Jews. They were fellow Jews who collaborated with the Roman occupying power by collecting taxes (import/export duties, tolls, market taxes). They were often accused of extortion, corruption, and dishonesty, as they collected more than the required amount and kept the surplus. Socially, they were viewed as traitors, ceremonially unclean, and categorized with "sinners," prostitutes, and Gentiles. Their profession inherently compromised Jewish purity laws and nationalist sentiment.
• named Levi (ὀνόματι Λευὶν, onomati Leuin): The Gospel of Matthew's parallel account identifies this individual as Matthew (Matt 9:9). "Levi" likely signifies his tribal heritage (descendant of Levi) or a given name, while "Matthew" (meaning "gift of Yahweh") may have been a surname or a new name adopted upon his discipleship, common for individuals transitioning into new roles, like Simon becoming Peter.
• sitting (καθήμενον, kathēmenon): This word depicts Levi in the midst of his daily occupation, emphasizing that Jesus' call interrupts his very livelihood. It shows his routine life at the point of transformation.
• at the receipt of custom (ἐπὶ τὸ τελώνιον, epi to telōnion): Refers to the tax booth or office. This was the despised place where taxes were collected, often strategically located at border crossings or market entrances. It highlights the direct contrast between Levi's previous occupation—which symbolized corruption and collaboration with oppressors—and the pure, divine calling of Jesus.
• and he said unto him (καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ, kai eipen auto): Demonstrates a direct, personal, and authoritative command from Jesus to Levi. It wasn't a suggestion but an imperative.
• Follow me (Ἀκολούθει μοι, Akolouthei moi): The quintessential command of discipleship. It demands not just intellectual assent but physical accompaniment and, more importantly, a complete reorientation of life—abandoning old ways, embracing a new master, and committing to His mission. For Levi, it meant leaving a financially lucrative but socially ostracized profession for an uncertain path with Jesus.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And after these things he went out and saw a publican named Levi": This highlights Jesus' deliberate action in seeking out individuals, including those ostracized by society. His sight penetrates societal labels to see a potential disciple.
• "sitting at the receipt of custom": This phrase precisely places Levi within his despised occupation. It underscores the profound contrast between Jesus, the holy Son of God, and a man steeped in a profession deemed sinful and collaborative with oppressors. The immediate context amplifies the radical nature of Jesus' grace.
• "and he said unto him, Follow me": This is the heart of the verse, an authoritative and direct invitation that cuts through societal barriers. It's a personal call that requires immediate, radical obedience and the complete abandonment of the past life. This succinct command encapsulates the essence of discipleship.

Luke 5 27 Bonus section

• Luke often highlights Jesus' special care for the marginalized, outcasts, and "sinners," and Levi's calling perfectly illustrates this overarching theme within Luke's Gospel. It contrasts with the exclusivity often practiced by the religious elite of the time.
• The immediate abandonment of a financially secure and presumably comfortable (albeit despised) profession by Levi underscores the compelling and irresistible nature of Jesus' call. This points to a radical reordering of priorities.
• This account sets up the subsequent controversy where Jesus dines with tax collectors and sinners, leading to His famous statement in Luke 5:32: "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Levi's call is the specific instance that precipitates this broader theological declaration.

Luke 5 27 Commentary

Luke 5:27 presents a profound demonstration of Jesus' revolutionary ministry. By calling Levi, a telōnes or tax collector, Jesus deliberately challenged the prevailing religious and social norms. Tax collectors were viewed as the lowest of the low in Jewish society—traitors, extortionists, and sinners. Yet, Jesus' discerning eye "saw" Levi not for his disreputable profession but for his potential to be transformed. The call "Follow me" was not merely an invitation to physical companionship but a summons to abandon a life defined by greed and social contempt, embracing instead a radical discipleship centered on Jesus. Levi's immediate obedience, leaving everything, exemplifies true repentance and the overwhelming authority of Jesus' voice. This act underscores a core message of Jesus' ministry: He came not for the self-righteous, but specifically to call and redeem those deemed outcast and lost, illustrating divine grace that transcends societal judgment and human prejudice. It emphasizes that salvation is for those who recognize their need, regardless of their past.