Synopsis of the Gospels
Compare similar Bible verses (New International Reader’s Version):
Matthew 9
Jesus chooses Matthew and eats with sinners
9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew. He was sitting at the tax collector’s booth. ‘Follow me’, Jesus told him. Matthew got up and followed him.
10 Later Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house. Many tax collectors and sinners came. They ate with Jesus and his disciples.
11 The Pharisees saw this. So they asked the disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?’
12 Jesus heard this. So he said, ‘Those who are healthy don’t need a doctor. Ill people do.
13 Go and learn what this means, “I want mercy and not sacrifice.” I have not come to get those who think they are right with God to follow me. I have come to get sinners to follow me.’
Mark 2
Jesus chooses Levi and eats with sinners
13 Once again Jesus went out beside the Sea of Galilee. A large crowd came to him. He began to teach them.
14 As he walked along he saw Levi, the son of Alphaeus. Levi was sitting at the tax collector’s booth. ‘Follow me’, Jesus told him. Levi got up and followed him.
15 Later Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house. Many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples. They were part of the large crowd following Jesus.
16 Some teachers of the law who were Pharisees were there. They saw Jesus eating with sinners and tax collectors. So they asked his disciples, ‘Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?’
17 Jesus heard that. So he said to them, ‘Those who are healthy don’t need a doctor. Ill people do. I have not come to get those who think they are right with God to follow me. I have come to get sinners to follow me.’
Luke 5
Jesus chooses Levi and eats with sinners
27 After this, Jesus left the house. He saw a tax collector sitting at the tax booth. The man’s name was Levi. ‘Follow me’, Jesus said to him.
28 Levi got up, left everything and followed him.
29 Then Levi gave a huge banquet for Jesus at his house. A large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them.
30 But the Pharisees and their teachers of the law complained to Jesus’ disciples. They said, ‘Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?’
31 Jesus answered them, ‘Healthy people don’t need a doctor. Ill people do.
32 I have not come to get those who think they are right with God to follow me. I have come to get sinners to turn away from their sins.’