Devine Scripture

Luke 5:27

What does Luke 5:27 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 5:27 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 5:27 means

After these events, Jesus sees a publican named Levi (a tax collector) at the toll place and calls him, ‘Follow me.’ This shows Jesus’ initiative: he seeks out social outcasts and extends a direct summons to discipleship. Naming Levi anchors the story historically—he will be known as Matthew—and locating him at his booth highlights the social stigma attached to tax collectors. The call is straightforward and personal, demonstrating that Jesus’ kingdom invitations cross social and moral boundaries and reach those regarded as collaborators with foreign powers.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And after these things he went forth, and beheld a publican, named Levi, sitting at the place of toll, and said unto him, Follow me.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And after these things he went forth, and beheld a publican, named Levi, sitting at the place of toll, and said unto him, Follow me.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And after these things he went out, and saw Levi, a tax-farmer, seated at the place where taxes were taken, and said to him, Come after me.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And after these things he went forth, and beheld a tax-gatherer, by name Levi, sitting at the tax-office, and said to him, `Be following me;'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And after these things, he went forth and saw a publican named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said to him: Follow me.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And after these things he went forth and saw a tax-gatherer, Levi by name, sitting at the receipt of taxes, and said to him, Follow me.

Context

The verse follows the crowd’s amazement and transitions to a new scene of calling and inclusion. After demonstrating authority over disease and forgiveness, Jesus now displays authority to summon a despised figure to be a follower. The chapter moves from acts of power to acts of grace: Jesus’ outreach to Levi prefigures his practice of eating with sinners and triggers a dispute with Pharisees, drawing out Jesus’ teaching on mission and mercy.

v.26And amazement took hold on all, and they glorified God; and they were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to-day.

v.27This passage

v.28And he forsook all, and rose up and followed him.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Mark 3:18

    and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphæus, and Thaddæus, and Simon the Cananæan,

  • Matthew 8:22

    But Jesus saith unto him, Follow me; and leave the dead to bury their own dead.

  • John 21:19

    Now this he spake, signifying by what manner of death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

  • Matthew 9:9

    And as Jesus passed by from thence, he saw a man, called Matthew, sitting at the place of toll: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.

  • Matthew 4:19

    And he saith unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you fishers of men.

  • John 12:26

    If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will the Father honor.

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