Luke 5:27–32: Follow Me

July 10, 2026

The Ten Signposts of the Bible
CAMDE—400—CALY
Creation. Abraham. Moses. David. Elijah. 400. Christ. Apostles. Letters. Yet-to-Come. 

Tax collector. In the Roman Empire, those two words alone could earn you nasty stares—maybe even a sharp remark. Tax collectors worked for the Roman government, and because taxes were imposed on nearly everything and regulations were lax, unscrupulous officials could easily overcharge and pocket the surplus. When some of them came to John the Baptist in repentance, concerned about their livelihood, he told them, "Collect no more than you are authorized to do" (Luke 3:13). Everyone knew that tax collectors had become the very face of everyday corruption. 

If you had spoken with a Jew about Jewish tax collectors in that era, emotions would have run high and strong words would likely have followed. A Jewish tax collector was seen as a traitor—someone who had sold out to Rome and was actively helping to oppress their own people. Few groups were more deeply despised. 

Today's story is about one of those tax collectors. 

One day, Jesus "saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, 'Follow me'" (Luke 5:27). Levi—also called Matthew (Matt. 9:9)—had likely already heard the buzz about Jesus. News of this miracle worker had spread widely. Perhaps Levi listened as people in line to pay their taxes shared what they had seen and heard. Perhaps he had stood in the crowd when Jesus taught or healed the sick. However it happened, Levi knew who Jesus was. So when Jesus said, "Follow me," Levi immediately left his post—without even closing the books, it seems. He walked away from everything–his job, his source of income, his very identity–to follow Jesus. 

Here's a question for us to consider: What did it really mean to follow Jesus? What was Jesus asking Levi to do? The words "follow me" sound simple enough, but they actually signaled a complete change of life and lifestyle. This was an invitation to join the group that gathered around Jesus during his earthly ministry. Jesus was calling Levi, along with the other disciples, to travel with him throughout the countryside, wherever he went. Theologian R. C. Sproul explains:

As Jesus walked down the street or through the community, the disciples would walk along behind him, committing to memory the words he uttered. Thus a disciple was a person who joined himself to the company of a rabbi and was committed to mastering whatever it was that the rabbi could transmit to him by way of teaching.^[1]

The word "disciple" comes from the Greek word, mathetes, which means, "learner." Sproul explains that a disciple of Jesus during his earthly ministry was "one who studies under Christ, who submits himself to the teaching of Jesus, who listens as the Master speaks, who seeks to understand what the Master is saying, and to emulate the response that the Master requires. The life of a disciple is one of service, study and obedience."^[2]

Levi was all in. He left everything behind so he could follow and learn from Jesus. His initial response was to host a celebration in honor of his new Master,^[3] inviting his old friends to meet his newest friend. Because Levi was respected and influential among those in his profession, "a large company of tax collectors" joined the special gathering (Luke 5:29). 

In those days, it was common for uninvited townspeople to stand outside a house during a special dinner and listen in on the conversation. We can picture Levi's home with a courtyard, where those who were excluded could gather to hear—and possibly even see—what was happening inside. Among those eavesdropping were the Pharisees and scribes, and they were not pleased with what they saw or heard. They complained to Jesus' disciples, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?" (Luke 5:30). When their question was relayed to Jesus, he replied, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance" (Luke 5:31-32).

Luke uses a medical term to describe people who are "well" or "whole."^[4] When you're healthy, you don't need to check-in to an urgent care clinic. In essence, Jesus is saying, "You religious leaders believe you are well. Why should I spend time with you, when you yourselves admit that these tax collectors are the ones who really need help?" The question is presenting the truth, but Jesus delivers it with intentional sarcasm. And there is no doubt that the Pharisees and scribes understood exactly what he meant. 

The religious leaders only thought they were well. In reality, they were blinded by their sense of spiritual superiority. Their self-righteousness and their rigid ceremonial worship kept them from recognizing the desperate need of their own sinful hearts. It is hard for the self-righteous to see how unrighteous they really are. But Scripture is unmistakably clear: "None is righteous, no, not one" (Rom. 3:10–12). All have sinned and fall short of being in a right relationship with the living God (Rom. 3:23). We are all spiritually sick and in need of the Great Physician to heal our sinful hearts. 

True change begins with repentance. The Greek word for repentance (metanoia) means to change one's mind. The Hebrew word for repentance (shuv) means to change one's actions. Together, they capture the heart of true biblical repentance—a turning away from our sin and in faith, a turning toward Jesus. In him alone we find forgiveness, cleansing, restoration, and a lasting relationship with the living God. 

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Read and reflect on Luke 5:27–32. What might Jesus be asking you to leave behind so that you can follow him with the same wholehearted commitment that Levi demonstrated?

Talking to God: Ask God to show you what you are grasping too tightly. 

Have Questions? 
Please send your questions to our team. We're happy to assist as we explore God's Word together. Submit your question below, and we'll respond soon. If you're interested in learning more about a relationship with Jesus or seeking spiritual guidance, let us help you take the next step.

THE LIVING GROUNDED YOUTUBE CHANNEL
I invite you to visit the Living Grounded YouTube channel, where we share conversations to help you stay rooted and encouraged in your faith. Check out all of our podcasts on: [Living Grounded YouTube Channel]. 

Be sure to subscribe—the more subscribers we have, the broader our reach.