Luke 15:2

And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

And {G2532} the Pharisees {G5330} and {G2532} scribes {G1122} murmured {G1234}, saying {G3004}, This man {G3754}{G3778} receiveth {G4327} sinners {G268}, and {G2532} eateth {G4906} with them {G846}.

and the P’rushim and Torah-teachers kept grumbling. “This fellow,” they said, “welcomes sinners — he even eats with them!”

So the Pharisees and scribes began to grumble: “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

And both the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

Context of Luke 15:2

This verse immediately follows Luke 15:1, which states that "publicans and sinners" were drawing near to Jesus to hear Him. The "Pharisees and scribes" were the religious leaders and legal experts of the day, known for their strict adherence to the Mosaic Law and oral traditions. Their complaint—that Jesus not only welcomed but also shared meals with those considered morally unclean or outcast by society—reveals their disapproval of His inclusive ministry. In ancient Jewish culture, sharing a meal was a profound act of fellowship and acceptance, signifying solidarity with those at the table. By eating with "sinners," Jesus was actively demonstrating acceptance and communion, which the religious elite found scandalous.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Jesus' Radical Inclusivity: The verse highlights Jesus' willingness to associate with and extend grace to those marginalized by society and religious institutions. This challenged the prevailing social and religious norms that emphasized separation from "sinners."
  • Divine Compassion vs. Religious Legalism: The murmuring of the Pharisees and scribes underscores the tension between a rigid, legalistic interpretation of faith and God's boundless compassion. Their focus was on outward purity and separation, while Jesus' focus was on inward transformation and reconciliation. This sets the stage for the famous parables that follow in Luke 15, such as the Parable of the Lost Sheep, the Parable of the Lost Coin, and the Parable of the Prodigal Son, which powerfully illustrate God's heart for the lost and His joy over repentance.
  • Jesus' Mission for the Lost: This accusation implicitly affirms Jesus' core mission. He came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. His actions demonstrated God's desire to seek out and save that which was lost, rather than waiting for the lost to become "acceptable" before approaching them.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses precise language that conveys the full weight of the Pharisees' objection:

  • "Murmured" (Greek: gongyzo - γογγύζω): This word describes a low, grumbling complaint, often done in secret or under one's breath, indicating deep discontent and opposition. It suggests a critical and judgmental attitude rather than an open inquiry.
  • "Receiveth" (Greek: prosdechomai - προσδέχομαι): More than just passively tolerating, this verb means to welcome, accept, or take to oneself. It implies an active and intentional welcoming, showing favor and hospitality.
  • "Eateth with" (Greek: synesthio - συνεσθίω): This compound word specifically means "to eat together with." As noted, sharing a meal was a significant act of fellowship, acceptance, and social unity in Jewish culture. The Pharisees saw this as defiling and a violation of their strict purity codes.

Practical Application

Luke 15:2 challenges believers today to examine their own attitudes towards those on the margins of society or outside religious circles. It reminds us that:

  • God's grace extends to all: We are called to embody the welcoming spirit of Christ, extending love and acceptance rather than judgment.
  • Authentic faith seeks the lost: Like Jesus, we should prioritize reaching out to those who are spiritually lost or socially outcast, rather than isolating ourselves in exclusive religious groups.
  • Beware of self-righteousness: The Pharisees' reaction serves as a timeless warning against spiritual pride and the danger of allowing religious rules to overshadow the heart of God's compassion and desire for all to come to repentance.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 9:11

    And when the Pharisees saw [it], they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?

  • Luke 7:39

    Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw [it], he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman [this is] that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.

  • Luke 19:7

    And when they saw [it], they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.

  • Luke 5:30

    But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?

  • Luke 7:34

    The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!

  • Acts 11:3

    Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.

  • Galatians 2:12

    For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.

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