Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this passage from Matthew 9:9. It’s a really important moment in Jesus’ teachings! Here’s what it means, explained simply: The Basic Story: Jesus was walking away when he saw a man named Matthew sitting and receiving custom – meaning he was receiving a gift or payment for something. He then told Matthew to follow him. What's happening in simpler terms? "As Jesus passed forth from thence..." : This means Jesus was moving forward, leaving a space behind. "...he saw a man, named Matthew..." : He noticed this particular man. "And he saith unto him..." : Jesus spoke to Matthew. "...Follow me." : He encouraged Matthew to do what he said – to follow Jesus. "...and he arose, and followed him." : Matthew, feeling a sense of responsibility or invitation, got up and started following Jesus. What does it mean? This verse is often interpreted as a test or a call to action . It’s essentially saying: "You're invited to join me! I want you to follow me." It’s a gentle but direct invitation to change direction and dedicate himself to Jesus. Why is it important? This is one of the earliest recorded times that Jesus tells people to follow Him. It signifies that Jesus is offering a path to salvation and purpose in life. In essence, this verse is about: Invitation: Jesus is inviting people to join him. Action: He’s urging Matthew to take action – to follow him. Opportunity: It represents an opportunity for change and a new way of living. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the context of this passage within the larger story of Jesus' teachings?