Bible Strands
Mark 2:16
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?”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The scribes identified as Pharisees observe Jesus dining at Levi’s house with tax collectors and sinners, then question His disciples about this behavior.
The words — γραμματεῖς (grammateis) translates to “scribes,” designating their official religious role. ἰδόντες (idontes) means “having seen,” marking a completed visual observation that directly precedes their spoken challenge.
The thread — This scene parallels Luke 19:7, where onlookers grumble over Jesus’ table fellowship, and points to Luke 18:11’s Pharisaic posture of separation.
Why it lands — The text records a direct challenge to Jesus’ association with marginalized groups, requiring the reader to acknowledge the tension between religious boundaries and the stated mission to reach the sick.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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?
Cross-references
- Luke 18:11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—swindlers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.
- Luke 19:7 And all who saw this began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinful man!”
- Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
- Isaiah 65:5 They say, ‘Keep to yourself; do not come near me, for I am holier than you!’ Such people are smoke in My nostrils, a fire that burns all day long.
- Acts 23:9 A great clamor arose, and some scribes from the party of the Pharisees got up and contended sharply, “We find nothing wrong with this man. What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?”
- 1 Corinthians 2:15 The spiritual man judges all things, but he himself is not subject to anyone’s judgment.
- Matthew 9:11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
- Matthew 18:17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, regard him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
- Mark 2:7 “Why does this man speak like this? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
- Luke 15:2 So the Pharisees and scribes began to grumble: “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”