Mark 2:16

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

And when the experts in the Law of Moses, being Pharisees [i.e., a strict sect of the Jewish religion], saw that He was eating with tax collectors and worldly people, they said to His disciples, “Why does Jesus eat and drink with tax collectors and worldly people?”

Cross References

Luke 19:10

For the Son of man came to search for and save those who were lost.”

Luke 18:11

The Pharisee stood up [conspicuously] and prayed about himself this way [i.e., bragging to God about how good he was], ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, sexually unfaithful to their mates, or even like that tax collector [over there].

1 Corinthians 2:15

But the spiritual person [i.e., one who has the Holy Spirit] is able to discern all things [i.e., has the ability to make right judgments about things], and he himself [i.e., his conduct] cannot be [critically] discerned by any [unbelieving] man.

Acts 23:9

A loud commotion developed [in the Council meeting]. Some of the teachers of the Law of Moses who belonged to the Pharisee party stood up and argued, saying, “We can find nothing wrong with this man. What if an angel or spirit did speak to him?”

Luke 19:7

And when the crowd saw this, they began complaining [i.e., because Zacchaeus was a despised tax collector] and said, “He is going to lodge with a sinful man.”

Hebrews 12:3

Now think about how Jesus endured such opposition against Himself from sinners, so that you do not grow weary and become discouraged [yourself].

Mark 2:7

“Why does this man talk this way? He is speaking against God. Who can forgive sins except one, that is, God?”

Matthew 18:17

And if he refuses to listen to them [i.e., the witnesses], explain the [whole] matter to the church [i.e., probably a specially called meeting of mature Christians to resolve the matter]. And if he refuses to listen to the church also, [i.e., to acknowledge his sin and repent of it], consider him like an [unconverted] Gentile or tax collector [i.e., do not have fellowship with him].

Matthew 9:11

And when the Pharisees saw this they said to His disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and worldly people?”

Matthew 5:46

For if you love [only] those who love you, what reward will you get for that? Do not even the publicans [Note: These were people with a bad reputation for their dishonest tax collecting activities] do that much?

Mark 2:15

And it happened that Jesus was having a meal at Levi’s house and many tax collectors and worldly people sat down with Him and His disciples, for many [of these kinds of people] became His followers.

Luke 5:30

Now the Pharisees and their experts in the Law of Moses complained to Jesus’ disciples, saying, “Why do you men eat and drink with tax collectors and worldly people?”