Luke 15:2 kjv

And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

Luke 15:2 nkjv

And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, "This Man receives sinners and eats with them."

Luke 15:2 niv

But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."

Luke 15:2 esv

And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them."

Luke 15:2 nlt

This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people ? even eating with them!

Luke 15 verses

Luke 15 2 Meaning

Luke 15:2 reveals the critical complaint lodged against Jesus by the religious establishment of His day, specifically the Pharisees and scribes. They openly grumbled and accused Him of welcoming and sharing intimate meals with individuals considered societal outcasts and flagrant sinners. This accusation serves as the direct catalyst for Jesus' subsequent teaching in the chapter, presenting His divine justification for His compassionate association with those who were marginalized by self-righteous religious leaders. It underscores the profound theological contrast between human religiosity and God's pursuit of the lost.

Luke 15 2 Context

Luke 15:2 is immediately preceded by a crowd of tax collectors and sinners gathering to hear Jesus (Lk 15:1). This setup establishes the context for the Pharisees' and scribes' indignant murmuring. The verse then directly introduces the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son (Lk 15:3-32). These parables are Jesus' direct response to the accusation, serving as a divine defense and theological explanation for His actions, demonstrating God's own heart and joy in finding and restoring those who are lost, regardless of their societal or religious standing. Within the broader Gospel of Luke, this verse highlights a recurring theme: Jesus' revolutionary approach to social outcasts and his consistent confrontation with the rigid legalism and self-righteousness of the religious leaders, whom Luke often portrays as rejecting God's mercy. Culturally, sharing a meal (table fellowship) was a profoundly significant act, symbolizing acceptance, trust, and even covenant. To share food with "sinners" meant entering into defiling association according to Pharisaic interpretation of purity laws, an act that threatened their social and ritual separation.

Luke 15 2 Word analysis

• And: Connects this complaint directly to the previous scene (Lk 15:1) where "all the tax collectors and sinners were drawing near to hear Him." This link shows that Jesus' inclusive practice was observable and the immediate trigger for the leaders' reaction.
• the Pharisees and the scribes:
  • Pharisees (Greek: Φαρισαῖοι - Pharisaioi): A prominent religious sect known for their strict adherence to the Law and oral tradition. They believed in external purity and often segregated themselves from the "common people of the land" (ʽam ha'aretz), particularly those they considered habitual sinners, to avoid defilement.
  • scribes (Greek: γραμματεῖς - grammateis): Professional interpreters and teachers of the Jewish Law. They were experts in Scripture and tradition, often aligning with the Pharisees in their theological and social perspectives. Their combined presence signifies the authoritative religious establishment of the time. Their joint criticism suggests a unified front of religious opposition.
• murmured (Greek: διεγογγύζοντο - diegongyzonto): A strong word implying not just quiet dissent, but open grumbling, expressing deep displeasure and critical disapproval. This verb echoes the complaints of Israel against God in the wilderness (Ex 15:24, Num 14:2). It suggests a spirit of discontent and uncharitableness rather than constructive inquiry.
• saying: Introduces the specific nature of their complaint, directly stated and recorded for posterity.
• This man: A dismissive and condescending reference to Jesus. It implies a lack of respect or recognition of His authority and dignity. They refuse to call Him by name or title, asserting their perceived superiority.
• receives (Greek: προσήεται - prosietai): More than merely tolerating. It implies active welcoming, hospitable reception, and intimate association. Jesus was not just physically present; He was engaging with them in a manner that indicated acceptance.
• sinners (Greek: ἁμαρτωλοί - hamartoloi): This term in the context of first-century Judaism referred not merely to individuals who occasionally erred, but to a distinct class of people: those habitually living outside God's Law, or those deemed ritually unclean by Pharisaic standards, such as tax collectors, prostitutes, Samaritans, and Gentiles, or even ordinary Jews who did not meticulously observe the complex purity laws. From the Pharisees' perspective, these individuals were spiritually beyond hope without strict adherence to their traditional practices.
• and eats with them (Greek: συνεσθίει - sunesthiei): The climax of the complaint and the most scandalous act to the Pharisees. Sharing a meal in the ancient Near East was a profound symbol of fellowship, acceptance, shared identity, and peace. It implied intimate social and religious bonding. By "eating with" these sinners, Jesus was perceived as blurring sacred boundaries, defiling Himself, endorsing their lifestyle, and even partaking in their sin, according to their rigid understanding of ritual purity.

Luke 15 2 Bonus section

The grumbling of the Pharisees and scribes here parallels earlier instances of Israel's murmuring in the wilderness against God, subtly implying their opposition is not just against Jesus, but against God's ways. This polemic highlights their misunderstanding of true holiness; they equated it with segregation from sin, whereas Jesus demonstrated it as engagement with sin for redemptive purposes. Their complaint was rooted in a merit-based righteousness, where only those who "deserved" it (by their standards) should be received. Jesus' answer in the parables then redefines divine acceptance as unconditional grace, accessible through humble repentance. The significance of shared meals in the Ancient Near East was paramount, signifying peace and belonging. Jesus weaponized this cultural norm for spiritual purposes, subverting the expectations of his critics to reveal the nature of the Kingdom of God, which is open to all who respond to God's gracious invitation, transforming a perceived act of defilement into a symbol of divine inclusion and reconciliation.

Luke 15 2 Commentary

Luke 15:2 succinctly captures the central tension between Jesus' ministry and the religious leadership of His day. The Pharisees and scribes, driven by a stringent interpretation of purity and separation, saw Jesus' actions as a direct assault on their understanding of holiness and divine order. Their "murmuring" stemmed from their inability to reconcile a holy God's representative with an intimate association with the ritually defiled and socially ostracized. They believed that truly righteous individuals should maintain distance from sinners to preserve their own holiness.

However, Jesus' actions were a living parable, demonstrating God's radical, initiative-taking love for humanity, not just for the 'righteous'. He was not condoning sin, but extending an invitation to repentance and restoration that began with welcome and fellowship. The shared meal signified acceptance into God's new community, a fellowship centered not on ritualistic separation but on humble grace and genuine transformation. This verse sets the stage for the powerful parables that follow, where Jesus implicitly (and sometimes explicitly) confronts their self-righteousness, revealing that God's heart beats not for those who deem themselves righteous and already found, but for the lost, the straying, and the prodigal, seeking their return with rejoicing. It's a foundational verse for understanding Jesus' redemptive mission and God's expansive love.

Practical usage examples:

• It challenges believers to examine their own attitudes towards those outside the church, urging compassion and outreach rather than judgmental exclusion.
• It reminds us that genuine holiness does not equate to isolation from the "unclean" but rather to a transforming presence that brings God's grace to them.
• It serves as a model for seeking out the lost and extending an authentic welcome, reflecting God's heart.