Keraia
Mark 2

Mark 2:16

Jesus Calls Levi · Mark 2:13–17
Read Mark 2

Translations

Modern
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?”
Traditional
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?
Literal
And the scribes of the Pharisees, having seen that He eats with the sinners and tax collectors, were saying to His disciples, “Why does He eat with the tax collectors and sinners?”
Latin
Et scribæ et pharisæi videntes quia manducaret cum publicanis et peccatoribus, dicebant discipulis ejus: Quare cum publicanis et peccatoribus manducat et bibit Magister vester?

Interlinear

Greek
English
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?”

Notes

Mark 2:16

The Pharisees, who were teachers of religious law, regarded Jesus eating with sinners as him accepting them as friends (Luke 15:1–2; 19:5, 7; Acts 11:2–18; Galatians 2:11–12). Jesus showed that these tax collectors and sinners were welcome in the kingdom of God.

In his ministry, Jesus invited both Jews and Gentiles to share in the kingdom of God (Mark 5:1–20; 7:24–30; compare Matthew 8:5–13; Luke 7:1–10; John 4:43–54).

Mark 2:13–17

This controversy is about Jesus spending time with sinners who had a bad reputation, such as tax collectors, and eating with them.

Mark 2:1–3:6

Five controversy stories (2:1–12, 13–17, 18–22, 23–28; 3:1–6) are grouped together because they share a common theme. Each story shows a conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders. In these accounts, Jesus says or does things that challenge their beliefs and practices. These stories show the great authority that Jesus has.

Theme notes and profiles

Matthew (Levi)

Events

Parallels

Matthew 9:9–13 Luke 5:27–32

People

Pharisee: A strict Jewish sect known for legalism and hypocrisy

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Gospel Judaism Mark, Gospel of Matthew (Person) Miracle Scribe Tax Collector

Topics

Bigotry: General Scriptures Concerning Jesus, the Christ: Eats with Tax Collectors and Sinners, and Discourses on Fasting (Capernaum) Jesus, the Christ: Mission of Scribes: Modern: Often offended at out Lord's Conduct and Teaching Self-Righteousness: General Scriptures Concerning