Big Idea: Jesus’s purpose is to bring sinners to forgiveness (2:1–12), and that includes inviting a tax collector to join his apostolic band. Levi uses the occasion to invite other social outcasts to meet Jesus, and that brings opposition from the religious leaders.

Understanding the Text

This section is all about forgiveness (2:1–12) that leads to discipleship (2:13–17), and this is set in contrast to the intransigence of the religious leaders. There is a reversal, for those who think they are healthy prove themselves to be sick, and those who know they are sick find health.

Interpretive Insights

2:13  Once again Jesus went out beside the lake. The placement of the episode “beside the lake” links this story with the first discipleship scene on Lake Gennesaret (“Sea of Galilee”) in 1:1…