Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Matthew: Chapter 9].
9:9 {At the place of toll} (\epi to tel•nion\). The tax-office or
custom-house of Capernaum placed here to collect taxes from the
boats going across the lake outside of Herod's territory or from
people going from Damascus to the coast, a regular caravan route.
"{Called Matthew}" (\Maththaion legomenon\) and in 10:3 Matthew
the publican is named as one of the Twelve Apostles. Mark (Mr
2:14) and Luke (Lu 5:27) call this man Levi. He had two names
as was common, Matthew Levi. The publicans (\tel•nai\) get their
name in English from the Latin _publicanus_ (a man who did public
duty), not a very accurate designation. They were detested
because they practised graft. Even Gabinius the proconsul of
Syria was accused by Cicero of relieving Syrians and Jews of
legitimate taxes for graft. He ordered some of the tax-officers
removed. Already Jesus had spoken of the publican (5:46) in a
way that shows the public disfavour in which they were held.
9:10 {Publicans and sinners} (\tel•nai kai hamart•loi\). Often
coupled together in common scorn and in contrast with the
righteous (\dikaioi\ in 9:13). It was a strange medley at
Levi's feast (Jesus and the four fisher disciples, Nathanael and
Philip; Matthew Levi and his former companions, publicans and
sinners; Pharisees with their scribes or students as on-lookers;
disciples of John the Baptist who were fasting at the very time
that Jesus was feasting and with such a group). The Pharisees
criticize sharply "your teacher" for such a social breach of
"reclining" together with publicans at Levi's feast.
9:12 {But they that are sick} (\alla hoi kak•s echontes\).
Probably a current proverb about the physician. As a physician of
body and soul Jesus was bound to come in close touch with the
social outcasts.
9:13 {But go ye and learn} (\poreuthentes de mathete\). With
biting sarcasm Jesus bids these preachers to learn the meaning of
Ho 6:6. It is repeated in Mt 12:7. Ingressive aorist
imperative (\mathete\).
9:14 {The disciples of John} (\hoi math•tai I•anou\). One is
surprised to find disciples of the Baptist in the role of critics
of Christ along with the Pharisees. But John was languishing in
prison and they perhaps were blaming Jesus for doing nothing
about it. At any rate John would not have gone to Levi's feast on
one of the Jewish fast-days. "The strict asceticism of the
Baptist (11:18) and of the Pharisaic rabbis (Lu 18:12) was
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