Those who thus assisted to sustain the Roman authority were considered apostate. The Jews regarded it as degrading to associate in any way with a publican. They considered the office identical with oppression and extortion. But the mind of Jesus was not molded after the prejudices of the Pharisees. He looked below the surface and read the heart. His divine eye saw in Matthew one whom he could use for the establishment of his church. This man had listened to the teachings of Christ, and had been attracted to him. His heart was full of reverence for the Saviour, but the thought had never entered the mind of Matthew that this great Teacher would condescend to notice him, much less choose him as a disciple. Therefore his astonishment was great when Jesus addressed him with the words, “Follow me.” {2SP 187.1}

De, som således hjalp til at understøtte romernes herredømme, blev betragtet som frafaldne. Jøderne anså det for en skam at holde selskab med en tolder. De betragtede dette embede som ensbetydende med undertrykkelse og udsugelse. Men Jesus lod sig ikke påvirke af farisæernes fordomme. Han skuede ind i hjertet. Hans guddommelige øje så, at Mattæus var et menneske, som kunne blive nyttigt for den menighed, han skulle oprette. Denne mand havde lyttet til Kristi undervisning og følte sig hendraget til ham. Hans hjerte var fuldt af ærbødighed for Frelseren; men han havde aldrig tænkt på, at den Store Lærer ville nedværdige sig til at lægge mærke til ham langt mindre vælge ham til sin discipel. Derfor blev han meget forbavset, da Jesu henvendte disse ord til ham: "Følg mig!"