Luke 5:29 - Levi made a great feast for him in his house. There was a great crowd of tax collectors and others who were reclining with them.

Generated Verse: Luke 5:29

What does "Luke 5:29" mean?


Luke 5:29 describes a significant social event:

"Levi made a great feast for him in his house": Levi, who is also known as Matthew, was a tax collector who had just been called by Jesus to follow him. The "great feast" indicates a large, celebratory party hosted by Levi in his own home. This feast wasn't just for Jesus, but was likely a farewell event as Levi transitioned from his old life to following Jesus.

"There was a great crowd of tax collectors and others who were reclining with them": This highlights that the guests at the feast were predominantly tax collectors, a group known for often being ostracized because they were perceived to be cooperating with the Roman Empire and often extorted money from their fellow Jews. The "others" could refer to other individuals considered social outcasts or those who were simply curious about Jesus and Levi's transformation. "Reclining" was the typical posture for eating at a formal dinner in that culture.

Meaning and Significance:

1. Levi's Conversion and Celebration: The feast represents Levi's immediate and enthusiastic response to Jesus' call. He leaves his lucrative but morally questionable job and throws a party to introduce his friends and colleagues to Jesus.

2. Jesus' Association with Sinners: Jesus' participation in this feast highlights his willingness to associate with people considered "sinners" or outcasts by the religious leaders of the time. This was a deliberate act that challenged the social and religious norms of the day. It demonstrates Jesus' mission to seek and save the lost, and to offer forgiveness and a new life to those who were rejected by society.

3. Opportunity for Evangelism: The feast provides an opportunity for Jesus to interact with a group of people who were often marginalized and in need of spiritual guidance. It shows that Jesus went where people were, even if those places were considered undesirable by others.

4. Contrasting Values: This event sets the stage for the criticism Jesus receives from the Pharisees and scribes (Luke 5:30) for eating and drinking with tax collectors and sinners. This highlights the contrasting values of Jesus, who prioritized compassion and inclusion, and the religious leaders, who emphasized strict adherence to rules and separation from those deemed "unclean."