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CHAPTER 13:  JESUS CALLS MATTHEW TO BE A DISCIPLE

AFTER THE miraculous cure of the paralytic, Jesus left the house and, as he passed along, saw Matthew, known as Levi, the son of Alpheus, sitting in the customhouse-where he performed his duties as tax collector.  Jesus said to him:

             “Follow me.”

            Matthew arose and followed him.

            Later Jesus sat down to a meal in Matthew’s house.  With him were his disciples and many tax collectors and sinners.

            Pharisees and scribes who saw them eating together were surprised and said to the disciples:

            “Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?”

            Jesus, hearing them, said:

            “They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.  I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”