Paragraph 5:29–30

5:29a

Then: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Then is literally “And.” It introduces what happened next in the story. Some other ways to connect this paragraph to 5:28 are:

Later (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Afterwards (Revised English Bible)

Levi hosted a great banquet for Jesus: The phrase Levi hosted a great banquet for Jesus means “Levi invited many people to come and eat a meal to honor Jesus.” Levi was the host of the banquet.

banquet: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as banquet refers to a large meal. Some other ways to translate this word are:

big dinner (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
big feast (Good News Translation)
-or-
big reception (Revised English Bible)

for Jesus: The phrase for Jesus here means that Jesus was invited to the banquet as the guest of honor. Levi had the feast in order to honor Jesus in the presence of all the other guests. For example:

with Jesus as the guest of honor (New Living Translation (2004))

5:29b

tax collectors: The term tax collectors also occurs in 5:27b. See the note there.

along with others: The Greek word the Berean Standard Bible translates as others refers to “other people.” It refers generally to other people whom Levi knew. It includes Jesus’ disciples. Translate this word in a general way. For example:

other people (Good News Translation)
-or-
other guests (New Living Translation (2004))

were eating: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as were eating is literally “were reclining” (as in the New American Standard Bible). The Jews usually ate at low tables while reclining on the floor (on cushions). This is not the custom in many parts of the world, and the posture is not in focus here. So most English versions translate this with more general expressions. For example:

sitting at table (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
were eating (New Century Version)
-or-
ate (New Living Translation (2004))

with them: The word them probably refers to Levi, the host, and to Jesus, the honored guest.

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