Mark 2:16

And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?

And {G2532} when the scribes {G1122} and {G2532} Pharisees {G5330} saw {G1492} him {G846} eat {G2068} with {G3326} publicans {G5057} and {G2532} sinners {G268}, they said {G3004} unto his {G846} disciples {G3101}, How {G5101} is it that {G3754} he eateth {G2068} and {G2532} drinketh {G4095} with {G3326} publicans {G5057} and {G2532} sinners {G268}?

When the Torah-teachers and the P'rushim saw that he was eating with sinners and tax-collectors, they said to his talmidim, "Why does he eat with tax-collectors and sinners?"

When the scribes who were Pharisees saw Jesus eating with these people, they asked His disciples, “Why does He eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with the sinners and publicans, said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?

Commentary

Mark 2:16 captures a pivotal moment in Jesus' early ministry, highlighting the stark contrast between His inclusive approach and the rigid religious customs of His day. The verse describes the critical observation made by the scribes and Pharisees as they witnessed Jesus dining with social outcasts.

Context

This verse follows Jesus' call of Levi (also known as Matthew), a tax collector, and the subsequent feast held at Levi's house (Mark 2:15). In 1st-century Jewish society, scribes were experts in the Mosaic Law, and Pharisees were a prominent religious sect known for their strict adherence to both written and oral traditions. Both groups held significant religious authority and social standing. On the other hand, publicans (tax collectors) were despised for collaborating with the Roman occupiers and often for extorting money from their own people. "Sinners" referred broadly to those who did not observe the Law according to Pharisaic standards, or those with openly immoral lifestyles (e.g., prostitutes). For a devout Jew, especially a religious leader, to share a meal with such individuals was considered defiling and scandalous, as eating together signified fellowship and acceptance.

Key Themes

  • Jesus' Radical Inclusivity: The verse vividly portrays Jesus' willingness to cross social and religious boundaries to engage with all people, particularly those marginalized and condemned by society. This was a radical departure from the prevailing religious norms.
  • Challenging Religious Legalism: The Pharisees' question reveals their focus on outward purity and adherence to strict rules, rather than the heart of God's law, which emphasizes mercy and compassion. Their concern was with ceremonial defilement, not spiritual need.
  • Divine Compassion and Mission: Jesus' actions demonstrate His profound love and compassion for the lost and broken. His purpose was not to affirm the self-righteous but to bring salvation and healing to those who recognized their need for it. This sets the stage for Jesus' explicit statement in Mark 2:17 that He came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Linguistic Insights

The term "publicans" (Greek: telones) specifically refers to tax collectors, who were often Jewish agents collecting taxes for the Roman Empire. They were reviled as traitors and exploiters. "Sinners" (Greek: hamartoloi) in this context refers not just to those who commit sin (which all humans do, Romans 3:23), but to those considered notoriously irreligious or morally corrupt by the religious elite of the time.

Practical Application

Mark 2:16 challenges believers today to examine their own attitudes towards those outside their social or religious circles. It reminds us that Jesus sought out the hurting and the lost, not just the "righteous." This verse encourages us to:

  • Extend Grace: Prioritize compassion and grace over rigid judgment or legalistic adherence to rules.
  • Break Down Barriers: Be willing to cross social, economic, or cultural divides to share the love of God.
  • Embrace Jesus' Mission: Recognize that the church's mission, like Jesus', is to reach out to those who need spiritual healing and redemption. This action exemplifies His mission to seek and to save that which was lost.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Luke 19:10

    For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

  • Luke 18:11

    The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men [are], extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

  • Acts 23:9

    And there arose a great cry: and the scribes [that were] of the Pharisees' part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God.

  • Isaiah 65:5

    Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These [are] a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.

  • 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.

  • 1 Corinthians 2:15

    But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

  • Luke 15:2

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