PER068

A question about associating with sinners

The article analyses the Pharisees' criticism of Jesus concerning his tolerance towards sinners, illustrating their attempts to discredit him as his popularity grows.

3 min Pharisees fishermen banquet Jesus 3 verses 3 books

See also

See also:

Bible texts

Matthew
Matthew 9.11-13 (King James Version)

And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?

But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.

But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
Mark
Mark 2.16-17 (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?

When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
Luke
Luke 5.30-32 (King James Version)

But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?

And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.

I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
John
John (King James Version) not mentioned in the book

Technical details

Bar chart for the year 31

Location: Levi's house in the town of Capernaum in Galilee

Date: Shortly before the Passover festival on Monday, March 24, AD 31, and their return from Jerusalem around April 5, AD 31

Approach: We follow Mark's chronology

Note on the approach: Matthew and Luke confirm Mark's account

The Capernaum region

Unlike John the Baptist, Jesus the Messiah has no reluctance to be seen with people considered undesirable by contemporary Jewish society, an unusual attitude for a spiritual leader of his time.

A question about associating with sinners

A question about associating with sinners

Commentary

We are still at the banquet held by Matthew in honour of Jesus the Messiah. The conversation quickly becomes technical and focuses on the law of Moses.

Most of the see Jesus the Messiah as an impostor. They scrutinise his every action, constantly looking for a flaw. Their aim is to discredit him with the crowd, who regard him as someone sent by God.

The and the Herodians, for their part, remain more in the background. The consider themselves guardians of the law and therefore believe it is their duty to criticise and oppose Jesus the Messiah.

It is paradoxical to see them constantly struggling against the Teacher when he advocates a form of Judaism purified of all the hypocritical distortions accumulated over the years.

There is a marked difference from John the Baptist's ascetic behaviour, although he too was neither accepted nor followed. Both figures will ultimately be put to death.

Jesus the Messiah's message divides people and requires a choice. People accept his preaching or become opponents, with no other alternative possible.

As a general rule, the people support Jesus the Messiah, while the religious establishment condemns him.