A.D. 28, Age 31. Capernaum.
Luke 5, 27-39; Matthew 9, 9-17; Mark 2, 13-22.
JESUS went forth again by the sea side; and the multitudes resorted unto him, and he taught them.
¶As he passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew (Levi, a publican *), sitting at the receipt of custom: he said unto him,
And he rose up, left all, and followed Jesus.
¶Levi made him a great feast † in his own house: and, behold, many publicans and others sat at meat with Jesus and his disciples.
But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat with publicans and sinners? Why eateth your master with publicans and sinners?
When Jesus heard that, he saith unto them,
¶The disciples of John used to fast often: and they come and say unto Jesus, Why do thy disciples fast not? Jesus said unto them,
¶And he spake also a parable unto them,
Another parable put he forth.
No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new; for he saith, The old is better.
26:* publican: a taxgatherer.
26:† The three accounts of Levi's feast (particularly of the bridechamber parable) exhibit interesting variations of text: Luke 5, 29-39; Mark 2, 15-22; Matthew 9, 10-17.
26:‡ Hosea 6. 6.