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Time after Pentecost · Proper 5 · Year A

Matthew 9:9-13

The Call of Matthew; Mercy, Not Sacrifice

June 7, 2026

The Calling of Saint Matthew, Caravaggio
The Calling of Saint Matthew, Caravaggio, 1599–1600San Luigi dei Francesi, Rome
In the church where it was painted, on a wall lit by a real window that matches the painted one. A tax table, a shaft of light, and a pointing hand nobody at the table expected.Follow me, and he got up and followed him: the reading gives it one sentence, and Caravaggio gave it the half second before the sentence.CaravaggioThe painter who put street models and raking light into altarpieces, killed a man in a brawl, and changed European painting in under twenty years.San Luigi dei Francesi, RomeThe French national church in Rome, whose Contarelli Chapel holds the three Caravaggios that made his name.San Luigi dei Francesi, Rome
LSB Three-Year Lectionary
GospelMatt. 9:9-13Mt 9:9-13
EpistleRom. 4:13-25Rom 4:13-25
Old TestamentHos. 5:15-6:6Hos 5:15-6:6
PsalterPs. 119:65-72Ps 119:65-72

Overview & Insights

"Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners." (Matthew 9:13)

Jesus calls Matthew the tax collector to follow him and then dines with tax collectors and sinners. When the Pharisees object, he answers that the sick need a physician and quotes Hosea that God desires mercy rather than sacrifice.

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Commentary

Commentary on Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26Commentary on Mt 9:9-13, 18-26 Working Preacher

The Lutheran lectionary voice on the call of Matthew and mercy over sacrifice.

Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 CommentaryMt 9:9-13, 18-26 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

A Reformed reading of Matthew's transformation from tax collector to disciple.

Matthew 9 CommentaryMt 9 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik

Verse by verse study of the call of Matthew and the meal with sinners.

Matthew 9:9 CommentariesMt 9:9 Commentaries BibleHub

Classic commentators gathered on the calling of Matthew.

Matthew 9 CommentaryMt 9 Commentary Precept Austin

Detailed study notes and cross references on the chapter.

Barnes' Notes: Matthew 9Barnes' Notes: Mt 9 StudyLight

A historic verse by verse commentary on the passage.

Background & Word Study

Gospel of Matthew OverviewGospel of Mt Overview BibleProject

Animated overview of Matthew's structure and themes.

Sacrifice and Atonement BibleProject

A theme study on sacrifice behind Jesus' words that he desires mercy.

Matthew 9:9 InterlinearMt 9:9 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek word by word of the call to follow me.

The Church Fathers

Matthew 9 - CatenaMt 9 - Catena Catena

A chain of patristic comment on Matthew 9 from the Church Fathers.

Podcast

#907: Second Sunday after Pentecost (Ord. 10A) – June 11, 2023 Working Preacher (Sermon Brainwave)

Luther Seminary’s homiletics roundtable on this Sunday’s appointed texts, including Matthew 9:9-13.

Art & Music

Art in the Christian Tradition Vanderbilt

Curated art index for this reading across the history of Christian art.

Study Hub

Proper 5, Year A - The Text This Week Textweek

The master index of study, art, and preaching links for Proper 5 in Year A.

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