27. After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting in his office. Jesus said to him, “Follow me.”
28. Levi got up, left everything, and followed him.
29. Then Levi had a big feast in his house for Jesus, and among the guests was a large number of tax collectors and other people.
30. Some Pharisees and some teachers of the Law who belonged to their group complained to Jesus' disciples. “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and other outcasts?” they asked.
31. Jesus answered them, “People who are well do not need a doctor, but only those who are sick.
32. I have not come to call respectable people to repent, but outcasts.”
33. Some people said to Jesus, “The disciples of John fast frequently and offer prayers, and the disciples of the Pharisees do the same; but your disciples eat and drink.”
34. Jesus answered, “Do you think you can make the guests at a wedding party go without food as long as the bridegroom is with them? Of course not!