<p>9:10&nbsp;<em>And it came to pass, as he sat eating in the house</em>- Matthew's record is purposefully ambiguous. Whose house? His own house, where He was living? For Capernaum is called &quot;his own city&quot; at that time (9:1). Or the house to which the healed paralytic had returned (9:6)? Or Matthew's house? However, the other Gospels say that the house was Matthews, and the presence of other publicans supports that. We note Matthew's humility in his recounting of the Gospel, that he leaves the identity of the house vague. He had no desire to boast that he had once hosted Jesus within his private home. Humility and self-abnegation must really be the lead characteristics of all tellers of the Gospel.</p>
<p><em>Many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples</em>- Clearly the associates of Matthew. They came and sat down with Jesus whilst He was eating. And He accepted them. See the digression about the significance of eating together, and the Lord's open table. Lk. 5:30 RVmg. describes how publicans and sinners had Pharisees and Scribes among them as they all sat at the same table gathered around Jesus. There was something in His person and teaching which welded people together.&nbsp;</p>