Matthew 9:9

Arabic 2016 (الكِتاب المُقَدَّس: التَّرْجَمَةُ العَرَبِيَّةُ المُبَسَّطَةُ)

وَبَيْنَمَا كَانَ يَسُوعُ مُجتَازًا، رَأى رَجُلًا اسْمُهُ مَتَّى جَالِسًا عِنْدَ مَكَانِ جَمعِ الضَّرَائِبِ. فَقَالَ لَهُ يَسُوعُ: «اتبَعنِي!» فَقَامَ وَتَبِعَهُ.

What Does This Mean?

In Matthew 9:9, Jesus encounters a tax collector named Matthew and invites him to follow Him. Matthew immediately responds by leaving his job and joining Jesus.

Explained for Children

Imagine you're playing your favorite game and suddenly, the creator of that game walks up to you and says, 'Hey, come with me!' That's kind of what happened here. Jesus came to Matthew, who worked collecting taxes, and asked him to follow Him. Matthew said yes right away!

Historical Background

This verse is from the Gospel of Matthew, written by an eyewitness or someone close to it around AD 60-80. It was intended for Jewish Christians living in a time when tax collectors were viewed negatively due to their role working with Roman authorities.

Living It Out Today

Today, this can be seen as a call to action. Imagine you're in a job you think is your life's work, but then someone comes and invites you on an adventure that could change everything. Like Matthew leaving his tax booth to follow Jesus, we too might need to step out of our comfort zones for something greater.

Topics

• calling
• faith
• repentance
• transformation
• obedience
• redemption

Related Verses

• Luke 5:27-28
• Mark 2:14
• 1 Corinthians 9:9
• Romans 13:6
• Amos 5:10

Frequently Asked Questions

Was Matthew a good person before Jesus called him?

Tax collectors in that era were often seen as traitors and sinners because they worked for the Roman government. Regardless of his past, Jesus still chose to call Matthew.

Why did Matthew follow Jesus so quickly?

Matthew's immediate response shows a deep faith and willingness to leave everything behind for what he believed was God's will for him.

How do we know this story is true?

The Gospel of Matthew, written by one of Jesus' original disciples, provides an account of these events. The early church accepted it as a reliable record of Jesus’ life and teachings.

What can we learn from Matthew's decision to follow Jesus?

Matthew's choice teaches us about the importance of responding quickly and fully to God’s call, even if it means leaving behind familiar routines or jobs.