Mark 2:15
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.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐγενέτο
it came to pass
G1096
ἐγενέτο
it came to pass
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
2 of 28
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κατακεῖσθαι
sat at meat
G2621
κατακεῖσθαι
sat at meat
Strong's:
G2621
Word #:
5 of 28
to lie down, i.e., (by implication) be sick; specially, to recline at a meal
αὐτῷ
as Jesus
G846
αὐτῷ
as Jesus
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 28
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οἰκίᾳ
house
G3614
οἰκίᾳ
house
Strong's:
G3614
Word #:
9 of 28
properly, residence (abstractly), but usually (concretely) an abode (literally or figuratively); by implication, a family (especially domestics)
αὐτῷ
as Jesus
G846
αὐτῷ
as Jesus
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
10 of 28
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πολλοὶ
many
G4183
πολλοὶ
many
Strong's:
G4183
Word #:
12 of 28
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
14 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὦ
G3588
τὦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
18 of 28
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
19 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτῷ
as Jesus
G846
αὐτῷ
as Jesus
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
22 of 28
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
γὰρ
for
G1063
γὰρ
for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
24 of 28
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
πολλοὶ
many
G4183
πολλοὶ
many
Strong's:
G4183
Word #:
25 of 28
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
26 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Historical Context
Tax collectors (publicans) were despised as traitors collaborating with Rome's occupation and extorting fellow Jews. They collected tolls, customs, and taxes, often demanding bribes and excess payments. Jewish religious law considered them ceremonially unclean. 'Sinners' (ἁμαρτωλοί) likely refers to those notorious for immoral lifestyles—prostitutes, adulterers, Gentiles, and those in 'unclean' occupations. Pharisaic Judaism emphasized separation from such individuals. Jesus' table fellowship was revolutionary and offensive, challenging purity-based social boundaries.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus' association with notorious sinners challenge your comfort zones in relationships and evangelism?
- In what ways do churches create barriers that keep 'publicans and sinners' away from Jesus rather than welcoming them?
- Who are the modern 'publicans and sinners' you avoid, and how might Jesus be calling you to extend grace?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
This verse depicts Jesus' fellowship with 'publicans and sinners'—a scandalous association that violated religious propriety. 'Many publicans and sinners sat together with Jesus and his disciples' emphasizes shared table fellowship (συνανέκειντο, synanekeinto), indicating intimate social communion. In Jewish culture, shared meals signified acceptance and friendship; to eat with someone was to endorse them. Jesus' willing association with moral and social outcasts demonstrates His mission to 'seek and save the lost' (Luke 19:10). The phrase 'for there were many, and they followed him' indicates that outcasts comprised a significant portion of Jesus' followers. Reformed theology emphasizes that Christ came to call sinners, not the righteous—His mission is redemptive, not restrictive.