Mark 2:16
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?
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
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
4 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Φαρισαῖοι,
Pharisees
G5330
Φαρισαῖοι,
Pharisees
Strong's:
G5330
Word #:
6 of 28
a separatist, i.e., exclusively religious; a pharisean, i.e., jewish sectary
ἰδόντες
saw
G1492
ἰδόντες
saw
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
7 of 28
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
αὐτοῦ
unto his
G846
αὐτοῦ
unto his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
8 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
ἐσθίει
he eateth
G2068
ἐσθίει
he eateth
Strong's:
G2068
Word #:
9 of 28
used only in certain tenses, the rest being supplied by g5315; to eat (usually literal)
μετὰ
with
G3326
μετὰ
with
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
10 of 28
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἔλεγον
they said
G3004
ἔλεγον
they said
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
15 of 28
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτοῦ
unto his
G846
αὐτοῦ
unto his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
18 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
Τι
How
G5101
Τι
How
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
19 of 28
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
ὅτι
is it that
G3754
ὅτι
is it that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
20 of 28
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
μετὰ
with
G3326
μετὰ
with
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
21 of 28
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
24 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐσθίει
he eateth
G2068
ἐσθίει
he eateth
Strong's:
G2068
Word #:
26 of 28
used only in certain tenses, the rest being supplied by g5315; to eat (usually literal)
Cross References
Luke 19:10For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.Luke 18:11The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.Isaiah 65:5Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.Acts 23:9And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees' part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God.1 Corinthians 2:15But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.Luke 19:7And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.
Historical Context
Pharisees (meaning 'separated ones') emphasized strict Torah observance and ritual purity. They developed extensive oral traditions regulating all life areas. Their food laws extended beyond biblical kosher requirements to include ritual hand-washing and separation from the ceremonially unclean. Table fellowship was particularly significant—sharing meals with sinners could render one ceremonially impure. The Pharisees' question reflects genuine confusion: how could a prophet claiming divine authority violate purity standards?
Questions for Reflection
- Do you view sinners as people to avoid or as mission fields for gospel proclamation?
- How can you maintain moral purity while still engaging meaningfully with non-believers?
- What does Jesus' example teach about balancing biblical holiness with gospel accessibility?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The scribes and Pharisees' question ('How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?') reveals their theological framework: association with sinners implies approval of sin. They assumed that holiness requires separation from contamination. Jesus' behavior scandalized them because rabbis typically avoided such fellowship to maintain ritual purity and moral reputation. However, they failed to distinguish between compromising with sin and showing mercy to sinners. Jesus' holiness wasn't fragile ceremonialism requiring protective isolation but robust righteousness that transforms others through contact. Reformed theology recognizes two errors: the Pharisaic error of self-righteous separation, and the worldly error of compromising with sin.