Luke Chapter 5 · Verse 29
And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐποίησεν
made
G4160
ἐποίησεν
made
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
2 of 23
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
μεγάλην
a great
G3173
μεγάλην
a great
Strong's:
G3173
Word #:
4 of 23
big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτῶν
him
G846
αὐτῶν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
7 of 23
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οἰκίᾳ
house
G3614
οἰκίᾳ
house
Strong's:
G3614
Word #:
10 of 23
properly, residence (abstractly), but usually (concretely) an abode (literally or figuratively); by implication, a family (especially domestics)
αὐτῶν
him
G846
αὐτῶν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
11 of 23
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὄχλος
company
G3793
ὄχλος
company
Strong's:
G3793
Word #:
14 of 23
a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot
τελωνῶν
of publicans
G5057
τελωνῶν
of publicans
Strong's:
G5057
Word #:
15 of 23
a tax-farmer, i.e., collector of public revenue
πολὺς
a great
G4183
πολὺς
a great
Strong's:
G4183
Word #:
16 of 23
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
17 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οἳ
that
G3739
οἳ
that
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
19 of 23
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
μετ'
with
G3326
μετ'
with
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
21 of 23
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
Historical Context
Middle Eastern hospitality banquets extended affairs. Levi invitation to tax collector friends significant. They were his social network. New believer brings old friends to Jesus. Evangelism begins with relational connections. Jesus criticized for eating with sinners. Table fellowship signified acceptance. Pharisees separated Jesus incarnated grace. Early church included all classes slaves free Jews Greeks. Modern church sometimes more concerned respectability than reaching outcasts. Need to recover Jesus pattern.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Levi using his home and resources for evangelistic feast teach about discipleship?
- How does Jesus willingness to fellowship with tax collectors sinners challenge church attitudes toward outcasts?
Analysis & Commentary
Levi made great feast in his own house and there was great company publicans others sat down. Levi made epoiēsen prepared. Great feast dochēn megalēn large banquet. Own house oikia personal residence. Great company ochlos polys large crowd. Publicans telōnōn tax collectors despised class. Others allōn likely sinners social outcasts. Sat down reclined at table intimate fellowship. Levi celebration of conversion. Used home resources to introduce friends to Jesus. Evangelistic feast. Jesus willing to fellowship with outcasts. Pharisees criticized (v. 30). Reformed theology affirms God grace reaches outcasts sinners. Church should welcome not exclude those society rejects.