Matthew 9:10

And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.

And {G2532} it came to pass {G1096}, as Jesus {G2424} sat at meat {G345} in {G1722} the house {G3614},{G2532} behold {G2400}, many {G4183} publicans {G5057} and {G2532} sinners {G268} came {G2064} and sat down {G4873} with him {G846} and {G2532} his {G846} disciples {G3101}.

WhileYeshua was in the house eating, many tax-collectors and sinners came and joined him and his talmidim at the meal.

Later, as Jesus was dining at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with Him and His disciples.

And it came to pass, as he sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples.

Commentary

Matthew 9:10 (KJV) describes a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry, highlighting His radical approach to fellowship and His mission to reach those considered outcasts by society and the religious establishment of His day.

Context

This verse immediately follows Jesus' call of Matthew, also known as Levi, a tax collector. It is widely understood that the "house" where Jesus "sat at meat" (meaning, reclined for a meal) was Matthew's own home, where he hosted Jesus and His disciples. In 1st-century Jewish society, tax collectors (or "publicans") were deeply despised. They were often Jewish individuals who collaborated with the Roman occupying forces to collect taxes, frequently extorting more than required for personal gain. They were considered traitors and ritually unclean, and devout Jews would avoid associating or dining with them, let alone with other "sinners" – a broad term encompassing those who overtly disregarded religious law or lived immoral lives.

Key Themes

  • Jesus' Inclusivity and Mission: This gathering vividly illustrates Jesus' primary purpose: to seek out and save the lost, not merely to associate with the righteous. His willingness to dine with publicans and sinners demonstrated a profound acceptance that challenged the prevailing social and religious norms. It foreshadows His declaration in Matthew 9:12 that "They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick."
  • Breaking Down Barriers: By sharing a meal, Jesus was not condoning sin, but extending grace and fellowship. Eating together was a sign of intimacy, acceptance, and shared life. This act powerfully conveyed that God's grace was available to everyone, regardless of their past or social standing, and that true righteousness was about a transformed heart, not just outward religious observance.
  • The Nature of True Discipleship: The disciples followed Jesus' example, participating in this controversial meal. This shows that following Christ involves embracing His mission to reach all people, especially those society might marginalize.

Linguistic Insights

The term "publicans" translates from the Greek telōnēs (τελώνης), referring specifically to tax collectors who were notorious for their corrupt practices. The word "sinners" comes from hamartōlos (ἁμαρτωλός), which describes those who "miss the mark" or fall short of God's moral and religious standards. The combination emphasizes the depth of the social and religious stigma attached to these individuals, making Jesus' act of fellowship even more striking.

Related Scriptures

  • The parallel accounts in Mark 2:15 and Luke 5:29 offer slightly different details but reinforce the same core message.
  • Jesus later explicitly states His mission to "call sinners to repentance" in Luke 5:32.
  • This event is a practical demonstration of Jesus' parables about seeking the lost, such as the parable of the lost sheep or the lost coin found in Luke 15:1-2, where "all the publicans and sinners drew near unto him for to hear him."

Practical Application

Matthew 9:10 challenges believers today to examine their own attitudes towards those considered "outsiders" or "undesirable" by societal standards. Jesus' example calls us to:

  • Embrace Inclusivity: To extend genuine welcome and fellowship to all people, recognizing that everyone is in need of God's grace.
  • Prioritize Relationships: To be willing to step out of our comfort zones and engage with those who may be different from us, seeking opportunities to share the transforming love of Christ.
  • Reflect God's Heart: To embody the compassionate heart of God, who desires that none should perish but that all should come to repentance, as emphasized in 2 Peter 3:9.
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

  • Mark 2:15

    And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him.

  • Mark 2:17

    When Jesus heard [it], he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

  • 1 Timothy 1:13

    Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did [it] ignorantly in unbelief.

  • 1 Timothy 1:16

    Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

  • Luke 5:29

    And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them.

  • Luke 5:32

    I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

  • John 9:31

    Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.
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