And he left all, rose up, and followed him.

LUKE 5:28KJV
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Luke 5:28 (KJV)

What does Luke 5:28 mean?

Luke 5:28 describes how Levi (also known as Matthew), upon hearing Jesus’ call, immediately left everything behind, got up, and began to follow Jesus. This verse highlights Levi’s total and immediate response to Jesus, showing a complete change in direction for his life.

In the story, Jesus has just invited Levi, a tax collector, to follow him. Tax collectors were often disliked and seen as outsiders in Jewish society. The verse captures the moment Levi makes a decisive break from his old life, leaving his work and possessions to become one of Jesus’ disciples.

The Greek behind Luke 5:28

  • ἀφείς (apheis, "left"): This word means to leave behind or abandon. The Greek here suggests a complete forsaking, not just a temporary pause, emphasizing the totality of Levi’s decision.
  • πάντα (panta, "all"): This word means "all" or "everything." The text stresses that Levi did not hold anything back—he left everything, not just part of his life.
  • ἀκολουθέω (akoloutheō, "followed"): This word means to follow as a disciple or companion. In this context, it carries the sense of joining someone’s way of life, not just physically walking after them.

Why Luke 5:28 matters

  • Luke 5:28 clears up any idea that following Jesus was a casual or partial decision for Levi; the verse shows it was immediate and complete.
  • The verse highlights the radical nature of Jesus’ call and the kind of response it drew from people who were often on the margins of society.
  • This moment sets the stage for the following events, where Levi hosts a meal for Jesus and other tax collectors, showing the ripple effect of his decision to follow Jesus.

Where else these words appear

“left” Greek G2641 · used in 25 verses

  • Matthew 4:13 And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:
  • Luke 15:4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
  • Acts 25:14 And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul's cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix:

“all” Greek G537 · used in 43 verses

  • Matthew 6:32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
  • Luke 8:37 Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again.
  • Acts 2:44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

“followed” Greek G190 · used in 88 verses

  • Matthew 4:20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.
  • Mark 6:1 And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him.
  • John 1:38 Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi,(which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?

“up” Greek G450 · used in 111 verses

  • Matthew 9:9 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.
  • Luke 11:8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.
  • Acts 8:27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,