Today, Matthew is called from his place of employment to follow Jesus. Only in the account of certain calls is the work of those concerned mentioned. Peter, Andrew, James and John are called while they are fishing; Matthew, while he is collecting tithes. These are unimportant jobs! Jesus’ call, therefore, also reaches people of a low social class while they go about their ordinary work.

Matthew responds instantly to Jesus’ call: "He rose and followed him". The brevity of the sentence clearly highlights Matthew’s readiness in responding to the call. For him it meant leaving everything, especially what guaranteed him a reliable source of income, even if it was often unfair and dishonourable. Matthew understood that familiarity with Jesus did not permit him to pursue activities of which God disapproved.

—In this "he rose", it is possible to read the detachment from a sinful situation and, at the same time, a conscious attachment to a new, upright life, in communion with Jesus Christ.