Mark 2:16 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, "Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?"

NIV: When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: "Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?"

NASB: When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that He was eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they said to His disciples, 'Why is He eating with tax collectors and sinners?'

CSB: When the scribes who were Pharisees saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples, "Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?"

NLT: But when the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees saw him eating with tax collectors and other sinners, they asked his disciples, 'Why does he eat with such scum? '

KJV: 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?

NKJV: And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, “How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?”

The scribes are a subset of Pharisees. After the Jews returned to Israel from Babylon, the people resolved to follow and obey God like never before. The scribes developed rules that acted like a buffer around the Mosaic Law. For example, to protect people from breaking the Sabbath, they enacted thirty-nine new laws that very specifically explained what breaking the Sabbath entailed—in their opinion—and how to avoid it.

The scribes also deeply respect the dietary laws. No fewer than four sections in the Mishnah warn against eating with someone "of the land," which is another term for a Jew who does not follow these extra-biblical laws. Pharisees tithe on even the tiniest of foodstuffs (Matthew 23:23), and are meticulous about making sure they are ceremonially clean before they eat (Mark 7:3–4). To eat with "sinners" means to risk eating with someone who has not properly tithed on his food and who might not be ceremonially clean. This is absolutely unacceptable to them.

The root of the word "Pharisee" is the Greek parash which means "to make distinct or to separate." The Pharisees excel at separating themselves from the general populace. By questioning Jesus' disciples, the scribes reveal that they consider Jesus to be like a Pharisee—a teacher of the Law—if somewhat of a wild-card. They expect Jesus to live like they do because they initially assume He will think and teach the same way they do. When He breaks their rules, they become distressed that a self-labelled teacher could have so little regard for their customs.

Jesus will directly address the scribes' concerns about meals and traditions in Mark 7:1–23. Jesus says, "There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him" (Mark 7:15). Tithing or not, washing hands or not, eating with religious leaders or with tax-collectors—even eating non-kosher foods (Acts 10:9–16)—no broken tradition or even law can make someone unclean as much as a heart hardened against God and His people.

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.