Mark 2:16

KJV

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?

KJV (with Strong's)

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}?

Complete Jewish Bible

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?"

Berean Standard Bible

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?”

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Mark 2:16 encapsulates a pivotal moment in Jesus' early Galilean ministry, revealing a profound clash between His radical, inclusive approach to ministry and the rigid, exclusive religious customs upheld by the scribes and Pharisees. This verse captures their incredulous question, born of indignation, as they observe Jesus sharing a meal with individuals deemed societal and religious outcasts, specifically publicans and sinners, thereby challenging deeply entrenched notions of purity, fellowship, and righteousness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated immediately after Jesus' controversial call of Levi (also known as Matthew), a tax collector, to be one of His disciples in [Mark 2:13-14](/mark/2-13-14 "Mark 2:13-14 - The Call of Levi"). Following this call, Levi hosts a feast in his home, where Jesus and His disciples are found dining alongside a "great company of publicans and sinners" ([Mark 2:15](/mark/2-15 "Mark 2:15 - Jesus Dines with Tax Collectors and Sinners")). The scribes and Pharisees, observing this scandalous behavior, direct their question not to Jesus directly, but to His disciples, setting the stage for Jesus' profound and foundational declaration in [Mark 2:17](/mark/2-17 "Mark 2:17 - Jesus' Purpose: To Call Sinners"), where He explains His mission as a physician for the sick, not the healthy. This entire pericope (Mark 2:13-17) forms a cohesive unit demonstrating Jesus' authority to call, His radical inclusivity, and His mission to the marginalized.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Jewish society, the **scribes** (G1122, *grammateús*) were highly respected experts in the Mosaic Law, responsible for interpreting, copying, and teaching it. The **Pharisees** (G5330, *Pharisaîos*) were a prominent Jewish religious sect known for their zealous adherence to both the written Torah and an extensive body of oral traditions, striving for ritual purity and strict observance of the Law. They held significant religious and social authority. In stark contrast, **publicans** (G5057, *telṓnēs*), or tax collectors, were Jewish agents who collected taxes for the Roman occupying power. They were universally despised as traitors, extortionists, and ritually unclean due to their contact with Gentiles and their dishonest practices. **"Sinners"** (G268, *hamartōlós*) in this context referred broadly to those who did not adhere to the Pharisaic standards of legal and ritual purity, including those with openly immoral lifestyles (e.g., prostitutes) or those in professions deemed ritually impure. Sharing a meal in this culture was a deeply significant act of fellowship, acceptance, and solidarity. For a religious teacher like Jesus to dine with such individuals was not merely unconventional; it was considered an act of defilement and a profound breach of social and religious norms, signaling an affirmation of their lifestyle rather than a call to repentance in the eyes of the religious elite.
* **Key Themes:** This incident profoundly contributes to several major themes within the Gospel of Mark and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Jesus' Radical Inclusivity and Compassion**, demonstrating His willingness to transcend rigid social and religious boundaries to engage with all people, especially those marginalized and condemned by society. This was a direct challenge to the prevailing religious norms that emphasized separation and purity. Secondly, the Pharisees' question underscores the theme of **Challenging Religious Legalism versus True Righteousness**. Their concern was with ceremonial defilement and outward adherence to rules, revealing a misunderstanding of the heart of God's law, which emphasizes mercy, justice, and compassion over ritualistic purity (cf. [Hosea 6:6](/hosea/6-6 "Hosea 6:6 - Mercy, Not Sacrifice")). Jesus' actions exemplify His mission of **Divine Compassion and Salvation**, indicating that He came not to affirm the self-righteous but to bring healing and redemption to those who recognized their spiritual need. This sets the stage for His explicit declaration in [Mark 2:17](/mark/2-17 "Jesus' Mission to Sinners") that He came "not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance," a core tenet of the [Gospel message](/mark/1-1 "Mark 1:1 - The Beginning of the Gospel").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Scribes (Greek, _grammateús'_):** From *gramma* (a writing), this term refers to a writer, specifically a professional scribe or secretary. In the New Testament context, they were highly educated individuals, experts in Jewish law, who copied, interpreted, and taught the Torah. They often served as legal advisors and were part of the Sanhedrin. Their presence here signifies the official religious establishment's scrutiny of Jesus.
* **Pharisees (Greek, _Pharisaîos'_):** Of Hebrew origin (*parash*, to separate), this term denotes a separatist or one who is exclusively religious. The Pharisees were a prominent Jewish sect known for their strict adherence to the Mosaic Law and oral traditions, striving for ritual purity and holiness. They represented the mainstream, devout Judaism of the day, and their questioning of Jesus highlights the fundamental conflict between His kingdom values and their legalistic worldview.
* **Sinners (Greek, _hamartōlós'_):** Derived from *hamartanō* (to miss the mark, to sin), this adjective describes someone who is sinful, a sinner. While all humanity is inherently sinful ([Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned")), in the context of first-century Judaism, "sinners" often referred to those who were notoriously irreligious, openly immoral, or disregarded the Mosaic Law and oral traditions as interpreted by the religious elite. This group included publicans, prostitutes, and others considered social outcasts.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners,"**: This opening clause sets the scene, emphasizing the observers and the observed action. The "scribes and Pharisees," representatives of religious authority and strict adherence to the Law, "saw" (G1492, *eídō*, implying perception and understanding) Jesus engaged in an act that violated their deeply held social and religious norms: "eat[ing]" (G2068, *esthíō*) with "publicans" (tax collectors, seen as traitors and extortionists) and "sinners" (those considered ritually impure and morally corrupt). The act of eating together signified fellowship and acceptance, which was anathema to the religious elite when it came to such despised groups.
* **"they said unto his disciples,"**: Rather than confronting Jesus directly, which would have been a more direct challenge to His authority, they address His disciples. This indirect approach might suggest a degree of caution or an attempt to undermine Jesus' authority by questioning His followers, perhaps hoping to sow doubt among them or to elicit a defensive explanation. It also highlights the disciples' position as mediators or representatives of Jesus.
* **"How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?"**: This is a rhetorical question, expressing not genuine inquiry but profound disapproval, astonishment, and condemnation. The repetition of "eateth and drinketh" (G2068, *esthíō* and G4095, *pínō*) emphasizes the intimate nature of the shared meal. The question reveals their shock that a self-proclaimed religious teacher, and one who performed miracles, would engage in such defiling fellowship. It underscores their legalistic mindset, which prioritized ritual purity and social separation over compassion and spiritual transformation.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 2:16 is rich in literary devices that amplify its theological message. **Contrast** is paramount, juxtaposing the rigid, exclusive worldview of the scribes and Pharisees with Jesus' radical, inclusive approach. This contrast is evident in the characters themselves (religious elite vs. social outcasts) and their actions (condemnation vs. fellowship). The Pharisees' question, "How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?", functions as a **Rhetorical Question**, designed not to elicit information but to express indignation and condemnation, highlighting their inability to comprehend Jesus' divine mission. There is also a subtle **Irony** at play: those who consider themselves righteous and pure are blind to the true nature of God's heart, while the "sinners" are precisely the ones Jesus has come to heal and restore. This scene also employs **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the broader conflict between Jesus and the religious authorities that will escalate throughout the Gospel, ultimately leading to His crucifixion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 2:16 stands as a powerful testament to Jesus' revolutionary approach to ministry, dismantling the prevailing social and religious barriers of His time. Theologically, it underscores God's radical grace and His heart for the marginalized and the lost. Jesus' willingness to share table fellowship with publicans and sinners was a tangible demonstration of the Kingdom of God breaking into the world, where divine love transcends human-made distinctions of purity and status. It reveals that God's primary concern is not with outward ritualistic adherence, but with the spiritual condition of the heart and the pursuit of genuine repentance and transformation. This act of inclusion was not an endorsement of sin, but an invitation to new life, demonstrating that true righteousness is found in compassion and mercy, not in self-righteous isolation. Jesus' actions here prefigure His ultimate mission to reconcile all people to God through His atoning sacrifice, breaking down the wall of hostility between God and humanity, and between people themselves.

* [Mark 2:17](/mark/2-17 "Mark 2:17 - Jesus' Mission to Sinners")
* [Luke 15:1-2](/luke/15-1-2 "Luke 15:1-2 - Jesus Eats with Tax Collectors and Sinners")
* [Matthew 9:10-13](/matthew/9-10-13 "Matthew 9:10-13 - The Call of Matthew and Dining with Sinners")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 2:16 profoundly challenges believers today to re-evaluate their own attitudes and practices concerning those outside their immediate social, religious, or cultural circles. Jesus' example compels us to move beyond superficial judgments and self-imposed boundaries, embracing a posture of radical hospitality and genuine compassion. It reminds us that the Gospel is inherently inclusive, reaching out to the hurting, the broken, and the outcast, just as Jesus did. This verse calls the church to be a community that reflects God's heart for the lost, actively seeking to build bridges rather than walls, and prioritizing spiritual transformation over social conformity. Our mission, like Jesus', is to extend grace and truth to those who need it most, demonstrating the transformative power of God's love through authentic relationship, rather than merely waiting for people to conform to our standards before engaging with them.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, or my community, inadvertently create barriers that prevent "publicans and sinners" from encountering the love of Christ?**
* **How can I cultivate a heart of radical compassion and hospitality that mirrors Jesus' willingness to engage with those often marginalized or condemned by society?**
* **What "tables" (social settings, relationships) am I called to share with those who are different from me, for the sake of the Gospel?**

### FAQ
**Why was eating with publicans and sinners so controversial for the scribes and Pharisees?**

Answer: For the scribes and Pharisees, eating a meal was not merely a physical act but a deeply symbolic one, signifying fellowship, acceptance, and shared values. To share a meal with "publicans" (tax collectors) and "sinners" (those considered ritually impure or morally corrupt) was seen as an act of defilement and an endorsement of their unrighteous lifestyles. It violated their strict interpretations of purity laws and their desire for separation from those who did not adhere to their standards. They believed that associating with such individuals would make them ritually unclean and compromise their own holiness, thereby undermining their efforts to live according to God's Law. Jesus' actions directly challenged their understanding of righteousness and the very nature of God's relationship with humanity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 2:16, with its depiction of Jesus dining with outcasts, is a profound foreshadowing and embodiment of His ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment. Jesus, as the Son of God, came not to uphold the rigid social and religious distinctions of the old covenant, but to inaugurate a new covenant of grace and reconciliation. His willingness to "eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners" is a tangible demonstration of His mission, as He Himself declares in the very next verse, that He came "not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance" ([Mark 2:17](/mark/2-17 "Mark 2:17 - Jesus' Purpose: To Call Sinners")). This table fellowship symbolizes the breaking down of barriers that separate humanity from God and from one another, a reconciliation ultimately achieved through His atoning sacrifice on the cross. Jesus is the true High Priest who, unlike the Levitical priests, enters into the defilement of humanity not to be defiled, but to purify and redeem. His actions here anticipate the heavenly banquet where people from every tribe, tongue, and nation, once sinners, will feast with Him ([Revelation 19:9](/revelation/19-9 "Revelation 19:9 - The Marriage Supper of the Lamb")). He is the ultimate physician who heals the spiritually sick, the Good Shepherd who seeks out the lost sheep ([Luke 19:10](/luke/19-10 "Luke 19:10 - Jesus Came to Seek and Save the Lost")), and the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), making fellowship possible for all who believe.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI 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.