Watch: Matthew joins the followers of Jesus in a new clip from Light of the World
The film comes to theatres September 5.
The makers of Light of the World—the year’s second theatrical animated Jesus movie—have released a new clip from the film to whet audience’s appetites.
This one shows Jesus calling Matthew to follow him, and you can watch it here:
The calling of the biblical Matthew is described in Mark 2:14, Matthew 9:9, and Luke 5:27-28.1 All three gospels agree that Matthew was sitting at his tax collector’s booth when Jesus called him, but in the clip, Matthew is kneeling on the ground and picking up some coins—so that’s a bit of a tweak to the story.
Also: in the clip, the disciple John picks up one of the coins and hands it to Matthew! This would have been a big social no-no; tax collectors like Matthew were despised for helping the Jewish people’s Roman oppressors, and John, by picking up the money (did it come from John’s taxes? from one of his neighbours’ taxes?) and giving it to Matthew, is basically helping the person who helps the oppressor.
Given how short the clip is, it’s impossible to say whether the film will acknowledge how radical John’s action is. But if it does, I could see John’s action fitting with the teachings of Jesus about going the extra mile and turning the other cheek, etc.—teachings that were, at least in part, about loving one’s enemy, including one’s oppressor.
It’s also interesting how John’s kindness to Matthew paves the way for Matthew’s calling in this clip. Would Jesus have stepped up and called Matthew to follow him if John hadn’t already reached out to Matthew like this? Who knows, but I like the idea that Jesus sometimes took his cue from the positive actions of his disciples.
And in case you’re wondering whether the biblical John had already started following Jesus by the time Jesus called Matthew: yes, in all three of the gospels that mention Matthew’s calling, Jesus called John first (in Mark 1:19-20, Matthew 4:21-22, and Luke 5:1-11). So the film is definitely accurate as far as that goes.
Light of the World comes to theatres across North America September 5.
Previous videos for Light of the World:
The ‘The Heart of Light of the World’ video (October 26, 2024)
The teaser (November 12, 2024)
The clip of Mary talking to John about Jesus’ birth (December 20, 2024)
The children’s-ministry curriculum video (February 10, 2025)
The ‘What Is Truth?’ clip and the ‘Launch Team Introduction’ video (March 26, 2025)
The trailer (April 10, 2025)
The ‘Jesus Heals Mary Magdalene’ clip (May 21, 2025)
The Shane & Shane music video (May 30, 2025)
The ‘The Disciples Meet’ clip and the 60-second trailer (June 16, 2025)
The ‘Designing Jesus for Light of the World’ video (July 18, 2025)
The ‘Is Poppa Right?’ clip (August 2, 2025)
‘Light of the World releases new 30-second trailer’ (August 9, 2025)
More information about Light of the World is available at LightoftheWorld.com.
Upcoming Bible movies and TV shows:
September 5, 2025 — Light of the World (theatrical: Salvation Poem Project)
September 6, 2025 — You Had to Be There: How the Toronto Godspell Ignited the Comedy Revolution... (theatrical: Toronto International Film Festival)
September 18, 2025 — Sight & Sound Presents: Noah - Live! (theatrical: Fathom)
September 26, 2025 — Ruth & Boaz (streaming: Netflix)
Fall 2025 — House of David: Season 2 (streaming: Prime Video - Wonder Project)
November 2025 — Martin Scorsese Presents: The Saints: Season 2 part 1 (streaming: Fox Nation)
December 19, 2025 — Zero A.D. (theatrical: Angel Studios)
2025 (no month specified) — The Carpenter’s Son (theatrical: Magnolia)
2025 (no month specified) — The Chosen Adventures (streaming)
2025 (no month specified) — The Promised Land: Season 1 (streaming)
March 22-April 5, 2026 — The Faithful (television: Fox)
April-May 2026 — Martin Scorsese Presents: The Saints: Season 2 part 2 (streaming: Fox Nation)
second half of 2026 — The Chosen: Season 6: Episodes 1-6 (streaming: Prime Video)
March 12, 2027 — The Chosen: Season 6: Finale (theatrical: Amazon MGM)
March 26, 2027 — The Resurrection of the Christ: Part One (theatrical: Lionsgate)
May 6, 2027 — The Resurrection of the Christ: Part Two (theatrical: Lionsgate)
March 31, 2028 — The Chosen: Season 7: Premiere (theatrical: Amazon MGM)
no release date specified — David (theatrical)
no release date specified — Jacob (theatrical: Angel Studios)
no release date specified — Joseph of Egypt (streaming: Prime Video)
who knows when Malick will finish it — The Way of the Wind (theatrical)
He’s called Levi in Mark and Luke, but it’s clear from the way the stories are written that they’re all describing the same person.