ISB ~ Matthew 9 v9

the tax office:Collecting taxes in the territory of Herod Antipas (Galilee) involved frequent contact with Gentiles. Many religious Jews thus despised the occupation, considering tax collectors socially equivalent to “sinners” (9:10; 11:19) and Gentiles (18:17). Undeterred by this religious and cultural convention, Jesus invites Matthew to break with his livelihood and follow him. Matthew’s former life as a sinner only increased his need to be a disciple.