Levi, who became Matthew, was a customs official in Capernaum who taxed imports and exports based on his own judgment. The Jews hated him because he worked for Rome and betrayed his countrymen.
But when Matthew the dishonest tax collector heard two words from Jesus, “Follow me,” he left everything and obeyed.
Matthew 9:9
And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom:and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
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