Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 – The call of Matthew The tax collector Jesus encounters (called Levi in Mark and in Luke) is probably not the author of the gospel. Most likely he already knew about Jesus and his mission; now he makes a decision for Christ. “Tax collectors” (v. 10) were morally suspect: they contracted with the occupying power and practised extortion. By “sinners” Matthew means members of despised trades considered ritually unclean. Jesus answers the Pharisees with a common-sense  proverb,…