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Epiphany Season · Eighth Sunday after the Epiphany · Year B

Mark 2:13-22

The Calling of Levi

February 28, 2027

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
Revised Common Lectionary
GospelMark 2:13-22Mk 2:13-22
Epistle2 Cor. 3:1-62 Cor 3:1-6
Old TestamentHos. 2:14-20Hos 2:14-20
PsalterPs. 103:1-13, 22Ps 103:1-13, 22

Overview & Insights

“I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 2:17)

This section is all about forgiveness (2:1–12) that leads to discipleship (2:13–17), and this is set in contrast to the intransigence of the religious leaders. There is a reversal, for those who think they are healthy prove themselves to be sick, and those who know they are sick find health.

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Take it further: Mark 2:13-22

Commentary

Mark 2:13-22Mk 2:13-22 Working Preacher

Luther Seminary reads Mark 2 as a chain of eating and fasting controversies, unpacking the call of Levi and the bridegroom, cloth, and wineskins sayings.

Classic commentaries on Mark 2Classic commentaries on Mk 2 BibleHub

Classic verse-by-verse commentaries on Mark 2 with notes on the calling of Levi and the new-wineskins parable.

Mark 2 verse by verseMk 2 verse by verse Precept Austin

Extensive word studies, cross-references, and preacher quotations on Mark 2.

Mark 2:13-22Mk 2:13-22 Enduring Word · David Guzik

An accessible verse-by-verse commentary, widely used across evangelical churches.

New Wine and New Wineskins Word on Fire · Bishop Barron

Bishop Barron preaches on the new wine and new wineskins saying in Mark 2, calling hearers to expand to receive the Gospel.

Background & Word Study

The Calling of Levi (Mark 2:13-17)The Calling of Levi (Mk 2:13-17) Theology of Work

Examines why a tax collector was so despised and what Jesus' call of Levi means for vocation and workplace discipleship.

What are Jesus' new wineskins, structures or people? Psephizo · Ian Paul

Asks whether the new wineskins point to new structures or new people, sharpening the parable's meaning.

Overview: MarkOverview: Mk BibleProject

An animated overview of Mark's Gospel framing the chapter 2 conflict stories within the book's arc.

Summary of MarkSummary of Mk Enter the Bible

An overview of Mark's themes, audience, and structure to situate these early Galilean controversies.

The Church Fathers

Mark 2, patristic commentaryMk 2, patristic commentary Catena

Patristic comments on Mark 2 showing how the early church read Levi's call and the fasting question.

Art & Music

Art in the Christian Tradition Vanderbilt

Curated lectionary art, hymns, and poetry indexed to this Sunday's readings.

Study Hub

The Text This Week: Epiphany 8B Textweek

A master index of commentary, sermons, art, and liturgy links for this Sunday (a few links may be dated).

Questions preachers ask

Who does Jesus call at the tax booth?

Jesus calls Levi the tax collector to follow him and then eats with tax collectors and sinners, declaring that it is the sick, not the healthy, who need a physician.

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