Luke 5:27-28

[27] And after he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow [28] And he left rose up, and followed him.

What is the context of Luke 5:27-28?

The Call of Matthew (Luke 5:27-28 true)
Matthew the Tax Collector (Luke 5:27-32 true)
Jesus Calls Levi (Luke 5:27-32 true)
Jesus Calls Levi (Matthew) (Luke 5:27-32 true)
Levi Called to Follow Jesus (Luke 5:27-32 true)
Jesus Calls Levi and Eats With Sinners .( X .) (Luke 5:27-32 true)
Call of Levi (Matthew) (Luke 5:27-39 true)

What does Luke 5:27-28 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Levi (Matthew) was a tax collector ("publican," AV). However he was not a chief tax collector, as Zaccheus was ( Luke 19:2), nor does the text say that he was rich, though he appears to have been. Nevertheless the Pharisees and most of the ordinary Jews despised him because of his profession. He collected taxes from the Jews for the unpopular Roman government, and many of his fellow tax collectors were corrupt.

"It is of importance to notice, that the Talmud distinguishes two classes of "publicans": the tax-gatherer in general (Gabbai), and the Mokhes, or Mokhsa, who was specially the douanier or custom-house official. Although both classes fall under the Rabbinic ban, the douanier-such as Matthew was-is the object of chief execration." ^[1]

Jesus" authority is apparent in Levi"s immediate and unconditional abandonment of his profession to follow Jesus. Levi obeyed Jesus" as he should have and in so doing gave Luke"s readers a positive example to follow (cf. Luke 5:11). Luke"s terminology stresses Levi"s decisive break with his former vocation and his continuing life of discipleship. This decision undoubtedly involved making financial and career sacrifices.