Devine Scripture

Luke 5:29

What does Luke 5:29 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 5:29 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 5:29 means

Levi gives a great feast at his house, and many publicans and others sit at table with them. The feast signals celebration and new fellowship: Levi expresses gratitude by hosting Jesus and inviting fellow outcasts. ‘Great’ suggests an elaborate, public banquet, not a private meal. The presence of many publicans underlines Levi’s social circle and the inclusivity of Jesus’ companionship. The event functions as community formation—Jesus breaks bread with those ostracized by society—challenging social and religious boundaries by showing the kingdom’s hospitality toward sinners.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And Levi made him a great feast in his house: and there was a great multitude of publicans and of others that were sitting at meat with them.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And Levi made him a great feast in his house: and there was a great multitude of publicans and of others that were sitting at meat with them.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And Levi made a great feast for him in his house: and a great number of tax-farmers and others were seated at table with them.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Levi made a great entertainment to him in his house, and there was a great multitude of tax-gatherers and others who were with them reclining (at meat),

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: And there was a great company of publicans and of others that were at table with them.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Levi made a great entertainment for him in his house, and there was a great crowd of tax-gatherers and others who were at table with them.

Context

This verse follows Levi’s following and shows concrete results: fellowship and feasting with fellow tax collectors. The meal sets up a confrontation with Pharisees who criticize Jesus’ associations. It also models the social consequences of Jesus’ welcome: sinners are gathered into table fellowship, prompting religious debate about holiness and mission. The feast thus precipitates Jesus’ teaching in verses 31–39 about his purpose and the newness of his work.

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

v.29This passage

v.30And the Pharisees and their scribes murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with the publicans and sinners?

Cross references

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

  • Matthew 9:10

    And it came to pass, as he sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples.

  • Mark 2:15

    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.

  • 1 Corinthians 5:9

    I wrote unto you in my epistle to have no company with fornicators;

  • Luke 15:1

    Now all the publicans and sinners were drawing near unto him to hear him.

  • John 12:2

    So they made him a supper there: and Martha served; but Lazarus was one of them that sat at meat with him.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:27

    If one of them that believe not biddeth you to a feast, and ye are disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience’ sake.

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