17 One day as he was teaching, there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present for him to heal. 18 Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, and they sought to bring him in and lay him before Jesus. 19 When they could not find a way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus. 20 When he saw their faith he said, "Man, your sins are forgiven you." 21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, "Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?" 22 But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered them, "Why are you reasoning in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Rise up and walk'? 24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"-he said to the man who was paralyzed- "I say to you, rise, take up your bed and go home." 25 Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and went home, glorifying God. 26 And they were all amazed, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, "We have seen strange things today." 20.20 The Call of Matthew MT 9:9-13 9 As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office; and he said to him, "Follow me." And he rose and followed him. 10 And as Jesus sat at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" 12 But when Jesus heard it, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." MK 2:13-17 13 Then he went out again beside the sea; and all the crowd came to him, and he taught them. 14 As he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax office, and he said to him, "Follow me." So he rose and followed him. 15 And as he sat at table in Levi's house, many tax collectors and sinners were sitting with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many who followed him. 16 And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw him eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, "Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?" 17 And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners." LK 5:27-32