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Pentecost Season · Proper 5 · Year A

Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26

The Call of Matthew; Mercy, Not Sacrifice

June 7, 2026

The Calling of Saint Matthew, Copy after Jan Sanders van Hemessen
The Calling of Saint Matthew, Copy after Jan Sanders van Hemessen, early 17th centuryThe Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Jesus leans in at the crowded tax table and calls Matthew, who turns from his ledgers and coins in surprise.As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him.Copy after Jan Sanders van HemessenA copy of an Antwerp master’s celebrated composition.The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New YorkThe Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Revised Common Lectionary
GospelMatt. 9:9-13, 18-26Mt 9:9-13, 18-26
EpistleRom. 4:13-25Rom 4:13-25
Old TestamentGen. 12:1-9Gn 12:1-9Alt. OTHos. 5:15-6:6Hos 5:15-6:6
PsalterPs. 33:1-12Ps 33:1-12Alt. PsalmPs. 50:7-15Ps 50:7-15

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 the tax collector Matthew and eats with sinners, defending mercy over ritual purity. He then raises a synagogue leader's dead daughter and heals a woman who touches the fringe of his cloak.

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Take it further: Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26

Commentary

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

Lectionary commentary on the calling of Matthew and Jesus' healing of desperate people.

Matthew 9 CommentaryMt 9 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik's verse-by-verse notes on Matthew's call and the two intertwined healing stories.

Matthew 9:9 CommentariesMt 9:9 Commentaries BibleHub

Classic commentaries collected for the call of Matthew.

Matthew 9 CommentaryMt 9 Commentary Precept Austin

Precept Austin's commentary and sermon resources on Matthew 9.

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

Reformed sermon commentary on Matthew's transformation from tax collector to disciple.

Background & Word Study

Matthew 9:9 InterlinearMt 9:9 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek text with parsing for the call and the healing narratives.

Overview: Gospel of MatthewOverview: Gospel of Mt BibleProject

Animated overview of Matthew's structure and themes.

The Messiah BibleProject

Background on the messianic authority Jesus shows in calling and healing.

The Church Fathers

Catena: Matthew 9Catena: Mt 9 Catena

Patristic comments chained verse by verse to Matthew 9.

Worship & Prayers

Proper 5, Year A (RCL) The Lectionary Page

All appointed readings and the collect for the day in one place.

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, 18-26.

Art & Music

Revised Common Lectionary Art: Proper 5A Vanderbilt

Lectionary art and the full set of appointed texts for Proper 5, Year A.

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