Mark 2:15 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him.

NIV: While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him.

NASB: And it *happened that He was reclining at the table in his house, and many tax collectors and sinners were dining with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many of them, and they were following Him.

CSB: While he was reclining at the table in Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who were following him.

NLT: Later, Levi invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. (There were many people of this kind among Jesus’ followers.)

KJV: 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.

NKJV: Now it happened, as He was dining in Levi’s house, that many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many, and they followed Him.

The passage is vague regarding whose table is mentioned and who is hosting the dinner. However, Luke 5:29 is clear that Levi has invited Jesus and others for a great feast. They recline at the table, laying on their sides or bellies with their legs behind them, leaning on their left arms and eating with their right hand.

Tax collectors are easy enough to identify, but Levi also invites "sinners." This is a technical term given by the Pharisees to Jews who do not have the time or inclination to attempt to follow their excessive rules. They aren't necessarily breakers of the Mosaic Law, although undoubtedly some are. "Sinners" are also called "people of the land."

These "tax collectors and sinners" are identified in contrast with Jesus and His disciples. The ungodly Levi and his friends are dining with the Son of God and His followers. This contrast angers the devout Jewish religious leaders and other people in the community (Mark 2:16). Yet Mark notes "there were many who followed" Jesus, including people who typically would not be identified as religious. The appeal of Jesus has spread far beyond the synagogue to the "sinners" in the community who respond positively to His message.

Mark 2:13–17 presents the second of five stories, found in the gospel of Mark, wherein Jesus asserts His authority. Here, He takes on the belief that sinners are not worth saving. The fifth man Jesus calls to be a disciple is Levi the tax collector. At the time, Jews assumed most such men were swindlers, using their traitorous service for the Roman occupiers to also steal from fellow Israelites. To make the situation even more controversial, Jesus goes home with Levi and has a meal with him and other ''sinners.'' The scribes, who work so hard making sure the good people follow more laws than God gave them, have no interest in turning sinful hearts to God. In fact, they seriously doubt it can be done. This account is also found in Matthew 9:9–13 and Luke 5:27–32.

Mark chapter 2 follows the typical style of Mark's gospel with a rapid succession of stories. Jesus heals a man who cannot walk, but only after declaring the man's sins to have been forgiven. Jesus then calls Levi, one of the publically-reviled tax collectors, as a disciple and is seen eating with those the Pharisees view as ''sinners.'' Jesus then answers a challenge about fasting and defends His disciples when they violate the Pharisees' views on keeping the Sabbath. All of these events are met with some resistance from Jesus' critics. He responds in each case with a spiritual, reasonable defense.

In Mark chapter 1, Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist then led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit where He was tempted by Satan. He also taught and healed in Capernaum and throughout Galilee. In chapter 2, having returned to Capernaum, Jesus displays authority over four particular areas: the forgiveness of sins, social traditions, extra-biblical religious traditions, and the Sabbath. In response, the Pharisees—legalistic religious leaders—escalate their antagonism toward Him, culminating in a direct condemnation of His teachings. This sets the scene for Mark 3:6 when the religious and national leadership first get the idea to destroy Jesus.

The Gospel of Mark emphasizes both Jesus' servanthood and His role as the promised Messiah: the Son of God. This is done through a concise, action-packed style. Mark provides relatively few details, instead focusing on actions and simple statements. This relates to the Gospel's authorship, which is believed to be based on the memories of the apostle Peter. These include many of Jesus' miracles, in contrast to other Gospels which include many more of Jesus' teachings and parables. Mark also makes frequent mention of Jesus' ministry being misunderstood by others.