Mark 2:13-17 - Levi Called To Follow Jesus

¹³ Again he went to the seaside and all the people followed him. So he taught them. ¹⁴ He saw Levi, the son of Alphaeus, seated at the place where taxes were collected. He said to him: Come with me. And he got up and went with him.

¹⁵ He was reclining at the meal in his house. Several tax collectors and sinners were at the table with Jesus and his disciples. There were a great number of them, and they came after him. ¹⁶ When the scribes of the Pharisees saw he was eating with the tax collectors and sinners they asked his disciples: Why does he take food and drink with such men?

¹⁷ Jesus heard this. He said to them: Those who are well have no need of a medical man but those who are ill do. I have come to care for sinners not the upright.

²⁷ After that he met a tax collector named Levi sitting at his place of business. He told him: Follow me. ²⁸ He gave up everything and followed him.

²⁹ Levi made him a great feast in his house. There was a large group of tax collectors and of others that were sitting at the meal with them. ³⁰ And the Pharisees and their scribes complained to Jesus disciples. They asked: Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?

³¹ Jesus answered them: Those who have good health do not need a physician. The sick do. ³² I did not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.