Matthew 9:11

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} when the Pharisees {G5330} saw {G1492} it, they said {G2036} unto his {G846} disciples {G3101}, Why {G1302} eateth {G2068} your {G5216} Master {G1320} with {G3326} publicans {G5057} and {G2532} sinners {G268}?

Complete Jewish Bible

When the P'rushim saw this, they said to his talmidim, "Why does your rabbi eat with tax-collectors and sinners?"

Berean Standard Bible

When the Pharisees saw this, they asked His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 9:11 captures a pivotal moment of confrontation between Jesus and the religious establishment, specifically the Pharisees, who question His disciples about Jesus' controversial practice of sharing meals with tax collectors and other marginalized individuals. This verse highlights the stark contrast between Jesus' inclusive, mercy-driven ministry and the exclusive, legalistic piety of the Pharisees, setting the stage for Jesus' profound declaration about His mission to call sinners to repentance rather than the righteous.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the dramatic call of Matthew, a tax collector, to discipleship in [Matthew 9:9](/matthew/9-9 "Matthew 9:9 - The Calling of Matthew"). The narrative then transitions to a feast hosted by Matthew, where Jesus is found dining with a large company of "publicans and sinners." The Pharisees' question in [Matthew 9:11](/matthew/9-11 "Matthew 9:11 - Pharisees Question Jesus' Fellowship") is a direct response to this scandalous (in their eyes) act of fellowship, leading directly into Jesus' pivotal explanation of His mission in [Matthew 9:12-13](/matthew/9-12-13 "Matthew 9:12-13 - Jesus' Response to the Pharisees"). This incident is paralleled in [Mark 2:15-17](/mark/2-15-17 "Mark 2:15-17 - Jesus Eats with Sinners") and [Luke 5:29-32](/luke/5-29-32 "Luke 5:29-32 - Levi's Feast and Jesus' Defense"), underscoring its significance in the Synoptic Gospels.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Jewish society, sharing a meal was a deeply significant act, symbolizing fellowship, acceptance, and a shared bond. For the Pharisees, a prominent Jewish religious and political party, meticulous adherence to the Mosaic Law and a vast body of oral traditions was paramount. They practiced strict separation from anything or anyone deemed ritually unclean or morally impure. Tax collectors (publicans) were universally despised by their fellow Jews, viewed as traitors who collaborated with the Roman occupiers and often extorted money from their own people. They were considered ritually unclean due to their constant interaction with Gentiles and their dishonest practices. "Sinners" was a broad term encompassing not only those who violated specific laws but also those who did not adhere to the Pharisees' stringent interpretations of purity and righteousness, including prostitutes, gamblers, and the generally irreligious. Therefore, Jesus' act of dining with such individuals was a profound violation of Pharisaic social and religious norms, perceived as an endorsement of their lifestyle and a defilement of His own purity.
* **Key Themes:** This incident in [Matthew 9](/matthew/9 "Matthew 9 - Jesus' Authority and Compassion") powerfully illustrates several key themes central to Jesus' ministry. Firstly, it highlights **Jesus' radical inclusivity and compassion** for the marginalized and outcast, contrasting sharply with the exclusive piety of the religious elite. Secondly, it emphasizes **Jesus' mission as a divine physician** who came to heal the spiritually sick, not merely to affirm the self-righteous. This is explicitly articulated in His response in [Matthew 9:12](/matthew/9-12 "Matthew 9:12 - Jesus, the Physician"). Thirdly, the encounter underscores the **tension between legalism and mercy**, revealing that God desires compassion and a changed heart over rigid adherence to external rituals, a point Jesus reinforces by quoting Hosea in [Matthew 9:13](/matthew/9-13 "Matthew 9:13 - Mercy Not Sacrifice"). Finally, it foreshadows the **new covenant** where fellowship with God is extended to all who acknowledge their need for Him, regardless of their past.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Pharisees (Greek, _Pharisaîos'_):** From a Hebrew origin meaning "separatist," this term refers to a Jewish sect known for their strict adherence to the Law and oral traditions, emphasizing ritual purity and separation from those they deemed unrighteous. Their presence here signifies the religious establishment's opposition to Jesus' unconventional ministry.
* **eateth (Greek, _esthíō'_):** This primary verb means "to eat," often literally. In this context, it carries immense cultural weight, signifying shared fellowship, acceptance, and intimacy. For the Pharisees, Jesus' willingness to "eat with" publicans and sinners was not a casual act but a scandalous display of moral laxity and a violation of their purity codes.
* **publicans (Greek, _telṓnēs'_):** Derived from Greek words for "tax" and "to buy," this term refers to tax-farmers or collectors of public revenue. These individuals were reviled by their Jewish countrymen for collaborating with the Roman occupiers and for their notorious practice of extortion, making them social and religious outcasts.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when the Pharisees saw [it],"**: This clause establishes the observers and their reaction. The Pharisees, ever vigilant guardians of religious propriety, witnessed Jesus' controversial fellowship. Their "seeing" implies not just physical sight but also a critical, judgmental observation of an act they deemed unacceptable.
* **"they said unto his disciples,"**: The Pharisees do not directly confront Jesus, but rather His disciples. This indirect approach might indicate a desire to undermine Jesus' authority by questioning His followers, or perhaps a reluctance to engage Jesus directly given His growing popularity and challenging teachings. It also serves to test the disciples' loyalty and understanding of their Master's actions.
* **"Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?"**: This is a rhetorical question, not seeking information but expressing outrage, condemnation, and an accusation. The core of their objection lies in the perceived impropriety of a "Master" (a teacher or rabbi) associating with individuals considered morally corrupt and ritually unclean. Their question reveals their rigid understanding of righteousness, which prioritized separation and outward purity over compassion and engagement with the lost.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Rhetorical Question**, as the Pharisees' "Why?" is not a genuine inquiry but an accusation designed to highlight Jesus' perceived transgression and challenge His authority. This question implicitly sets up a **Contrast** between the Pharisees' rigid, exclusive understanding of righteousness and Jesus' inclusive, compassionate approach. There is also an element of **Irony**, as those who consider themselves righteous and pure are the ones questioning the very embodiment of righteousness, Jesus, for His association with those He came to save. This ironic situation underscores the Pharisees' spiritual blindness and their failure to grasp the true nature of God's mercy.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 9:11 serves as a foundational text for understanding Jesus' radical approach to ministry, which consistently prioritized compassion and the redemption of the lost over adherence to human-made traditions of purity and separation. It reveals the heart of God, who actively seeks out those in need of spiritual healing rather than waiting for the "healthy" to approach Him. This incident challenges the notion that righteousness is found in self-isolation from the "unclean" and instead posits that true holiness is demonstrated through self-giving love and a willingness to enter into the brokenness of the world to bring healing. It foreshadows the expansive nature of the Gospel, which is open to all who recognize their need for a Savior, regardless of their past or social standing.

* [Matthew 9:12-13](/matthew/9-12-13 "Matthew 9:12-13 - Jesus' Response: The Sick Need a Physician")
* [Luke 15:1-2](/luke/15-1-2 "Luke 15:1-2 - Jesus Welcomes Sinners and Eats with Them")
* [Hosea 6:6](/hosea/6-6 "Hosea 6:6 - God Desires Mercy, Not Sacrifice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 9:11 presents a profound challenge and invitation for believers today. It compels us to examine our own hearts and attitudes towards those who are marginalized, different, or deemed "unworthy" by societal or even religious standards. Are we, like the Pharisees, quick to judge and separate, or are we, like Jesus, willing to extend grace, compassion, and genuine fellowship? This verse calls us to embrace a ministry of presence, actively seeking out and building relationships with those who are far from God, recognizing that our mission is to bring the good news of salvation and healing, not to condemn. It reminds us that true righteousness is not found in rigid adherence to rules for their own sake, but in embodying God's love and mercy, striving to be agents of reconciliation and hope in a broken world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, like the Pharisees, unknowingly create barriers between myself and those Jesus came to save?**
* **How can I actively seek out opportunities to extend genuine fellowship and compassion to people who are marginalized or different from me?**
* **What does "mercy, not sacrifice" look like in my daily interactions and my approach to ministry?**

### FAQ

**Why were publicans and sinners so despised by the Pharisees?**

Answer: Publicans (tax collectors) were despised because they were Jews who collaborated with the Roman occupation, often extorting excessive taxes from their own people for personal gain. This made them seen as traitors and ritually unclean due to their frequent contact with Gentiles. "Sinners" was a broader term for those who did not adhere to the Pharisees' strict interpretations of the Mosaic Law and oral traditions, including those with morally questionable professions or lifestyles. The Pharisees believed that associating with such individuals would compromise their own ritual purity and moral standing, thus violating God's law. Jesus' willingness to dine with them was considered a scandalous act that defied the very foundations of Pharisaic piety and separation.

**What was the significance of Jesus eating with these individuals?**

Answer: In ancient Jewish culture, sharing a meal was a deeply intimate and significant act, symbolizing acceptance, fellowship, and shared identity. By eating with publicans and sinners, Jesus was intentionally breaking down social and religious barriers. He was not condoning their sin but demonstrating His radical love, acceptance, and desire for their repentance and restoration. This act vividly illustrated His mission to seek out and save the lost, showing that the Kingdom of God was open to all who recognized their need for a Savior, regardless of their past or social standing. It was a tangible expression of God's mercy reaching out to the marginalized, as seen throughout [Jesus' ministry](/luke/19-10 "Luke 19:10 - Jesus Came to Seek and Save the Lost").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 9:11, with the Pharisees' indignant question, powerfully sets the stage for Jesus' self-revelation as the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. Their query, "Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?" highlights their misunderstanding of the Messiah's true mission. Jesus' subsequent response in [Matthew 9:12](/matthew/9-12 "Matthew 9:12 - Jesus, the Great Physician") — "They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick" — reveals Him as the Great Physician, the only one capable of healing the spiritual sickness of humanity. He did not come to affirm the self-righteous, but to call those who recognized their spiritual brokenness to repentance ([Luke 5:32](/luke/5-32 "Luke 5:32 - Jesus Calls Sinners to Repentance")). His table fellowship with the outcasts foreshadows the ultimate reconciliation offered through His sacrifice, where He, though sinless, identified with sinners to bear their sin ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). This radical inclusivity ultimately culminates in the breaking down of all dividing walls through His cross ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Broke Down the Wall of Hostility")), inviting all, regardless of their past, to partake in the heavenly banquet with Him ([Revelation 19:9](/revelation/19-9 "Revelation 19:9 - The Marriage Supper of the Lamb")). Thus, Jesus' dining with publicans and sinners is a profound demonstration of the Gospel's expansive reach and His unwavering commitment to seeking and saving the lost ([Luke 19:10](/luke/19-10 "Luke 19:10 - The Son of Man Came to Seek and to Save the Lost")).

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

Matthew 11:19

The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.

Luke 5:30

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

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?

Luke 15:1

¶ Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.

Luke 15:2

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

1 Corinthians 5:9

¶ I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:

1 Corinthians 5:11

But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.