Matthew Henry Commentary Mark 2:13-17

"And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them. And as he passed by, he saw Levi the [son] of Alphaeus sitting at the place of toll, and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him. And it came to pass, that he was sitting at meat in his house, and many publicans and sinners sat down with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him. And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with the sinners and publicans, said unto his disciples, [How is it] that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners? And when Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of a physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners." — Mark 2:13-17 (ASV)

Matthew was not a good character; otherwise, being a Jew, he would never have been a publican, that is, a tax-gatherer for the Romans. However, Christ called this publican to follow Him. With God, through Christ, there is mercy to pardon the greatest sins and grace to change the greatest sinners and make them holy. A faithful, fair-dealing publican was rare.

Because the Jews had a particular hatred for an office that proved they were subject to the Romans, they gave these tax-gatherers a bad reputation. But our blessed Lord did not hesitate to converse with such people when He appeared in the likeness of sinful flesh. It is nothing new for what is both well done and well designed to be slandered and turned into a reproach against the wisest and best of men.

Christ would not withdraw, even though the Pharisees were offended. If the world had been righteous, there would have been no occasion for His coming, either to preach repentance or to purchase forgiveness. We must not keep company with ungodly people out of love for their futile way of life; instead, we are to show love for their souls. We should remember that our good Physician had the power of healing in Himself and was in no danger of contracting the disease, but it is not so with us.

In trying to do good to others, let us be careful that we do not bring harm to ourselves.