Mark 2 15

Mark 2:15 kjv

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.

Mark 2:15 nkjv

Now it happened, as He was dining in Levi's house, that many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many, and they followed Him.

Mark 2:15 niv

While Jesus was having dinner at Levi's house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him.

Mark 2:15 esv

And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him.

Mark 2:15 nlt

Later, Levi invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. (There were many people of this kind among Jesus' followers.)

Mark 2 verses

Mark 2 15 Meaning

Mark 2:15 describes Jesus sharing a meal, which implies deep fellowship, in Levi's house (the recently called tax collector) with a large gathering of publicans (tax collectors) and sinners. The verse highlights that many of these individuals were actively following Jesus, indicating their interest and the reason for their presence at the meal. This act of dining challenged social and religious norms of the time.

Mark 2 15 Context

This verse immediately follows Jesus's calling of Levi (also known as Matthew), a tax collector, to be His disciple in Mark 2:14. Levi's response is one of immediate obedience. The subsequent meal described in Mark 2:15, likely hosted by Levi, showcases the immediate implication of Jesus's inclusive call. In the historical and cultural context of first-century Judea, tax collectors were reviled for collaborating with Roman authorities, often extorting their own people, and were considered "sinners" by religious standards. Sharing a meal was a profound act of fellowship, acceptance, and intimacy, a public display of social endorsement. Jesus's willingness to eat with such a group was a radical act that directly challenged the rigid social boundaries and purity laws meticulously observed by religious leaders like the Pharisees and scribes. It sets the stage for the direct confrontation that occurs in Mark 2:16, where these religious elites question Jesus's actions. This entire passage emphasizes Jesus's mission to seek and save those considered outcast or lost.

Mark 2 15 Word analysis

• And as Jesus sat at meat (ἀνέκειτο - anekeito):

  • Anékēito (from anakēimai) literally means "to recline."
  • Significance: In ancient Mediterranean culture, particularly at a formal meal or banquet, people did not sit on chairs but reclined on couches. This posture signified a shared, intimate, and often celebratory gathering, emphasizing fellowship. Jesus was fully participating in their social setting.

• in his house:

  • Refers to Levi's (Matthew's) house, as indicated by the preceding verse (Mark 2:14) and parallel accounts (Luke 5:29 explicitly states "Levi made him a great feast in his own house").
  • Significance: Levi, a former despised tax collector, is hosting Jesus. This is a dramatic inversion of social norms and a testament to the transformative power of Jesus's call. The newly converted outcast is now extending hospitality.

• many publicans (τελώναι - telōnai):

  • Telōnai: Tax collectors.
  • Significance: These individuals were universally hated among the Jewish people. They bought tax franchises from Rome or local authorities, collecting taxes for a profit, often involving extortion. They were considered religiously unclean, ethically corrupt, and traitors to their nation. Jesus associating with them was highly scandalous to religious authorities.

• and sinners (ἁμαρτωλοί - hamartōloi):

  • Hamartōloi: Literally "those who miss the mark," commonly translated as "sinners."
  • Significance: In the Jewish context, this term encompassed not only those engaged in morally grave acts (e.g., prostitutes) but also those who consistently disregarded ceremonial purity laws, religious obligations (like tithing), or whose professions (like shepherds or tradesmen handling specific animal products) made them perpetually unclean in the eyes of the stricter religious groups (like Pharisees). These were often societal outcasts.

• sat also together with Jesus and his disciples:

  • Significance: This highlights Jesus's intentional act of fellowship and identification with these marginalized groups. He wasn't merely passing through or preaching at them; He was sharing life and intimacy with them, despite the strong societal taboos. It showcases His mission to engage with those considered unworthy.

• for there were many, and they followed him:

  • Significance: This phrase provides crucial insight into why these individuals were present and their disposition towards Jesus. It implies that these "publicans and sinners" were not there by chance or solely due to Levi's invitation; they were drawn to Jesus. Their presence speaks to Jesus's magnetic appeal and the spiritual hunger among those alienated from the established religious system. "Followed him" suggests they were interested in His teachings and perhaps seeking spiritual or physical healing, or simply a message of acceptance they couldn't find elsewhere.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Jesus sat at meat... with many publicans and sinners": This grouping directly sets up the core conflict that follows. It's a vivid picture of radical inclusion and the deliberate transgression of social barriers for the sake of the Gospel. It challenges the conventional understanding of holiness, showing it is not about separation from the unclean, but about bringing light and transformation into the lives of those in spiritual darkness.
  • "in his house... for there were many, and they followed him": This phrase links Levi's conversion to a wider movement. The "his house" (Levi's) implies the immediate fruit of Jesus's call. The "many, and they followed him" indicates a larger group drawn to Jesus, beyond just Levi's inner circle, reinforcing that Jesus was intentionally gathering those who needed healing and acceptance. This gathering wasn't a one-off anomaly but symptomatic of Jesus's wider ministry reach and His consistent focus on the spiritually lost.

Mark 2 15 Bonus section

The scene at Levi's house directly challenges the polemical view of purity dominant among certain Jewish sects, particularly the Pharisees, who believed contact with "sinners" or "unclean" things would defile them. Jesus, through this action, asserts a higher principle: that divine love and transformative power are not diminished by contact with sinfulness, but rather that contact, intended for redemption, overcomes and purifies. He shows that spiritual healing involves engaging the sick, not avoiding them. This event illustrates the "New Wineskins" principle Jesus would speak of later (Mark 2:22), demonstrating that the Spirit of the new covenant could not be contained by the old, rigid forms. It's also noteworthy that the gospel writers present Levi's immediate, wholehearted response to Jesus's call (Mark 2:14) as indicative of the receptiveness found among these groups, contrasting sharply with the often-skeptical and resistant religious establishment.

Mark 2 15 Commentary

Mark 2:15 provides a quintessential snapshot of Jesus's earthly ministry and the very essence of His mission. Following the call of Levi, a detested tax collector, Jesus chooses to engage in table fellowship, the deepest form of social acceptance in that culture, not only with Levi but with an array of "publicans and sinners." This act was scandalous to the religious elite, who meticulously guarded purity laws and social boundaries. Jesus intentionally breaches these societal walls, demonstrating that God's kingdom embraces those on the fringes. He is not defined by the company He keeps according to human standards, but rather redefines who is welcome into God's presence. The phrase "for there were many, and they followed him" underscores that these individuals were not passive recipients but were actively drawn to Jesus, sensing in Him a hope and acceptance denied to them by others. This meal is a physical manifestation of Jesus's spiritual call—a tangible portrayal of the coming kingdom where mercy triumphs over judgment, and the broken and marginalized are brought near. It prefaces Jesus's powerful declaration in Mark 2:17: "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

• Practical Usage Examples:
  • Challenging comfort zones: Encourages believers to step outside their comfort zones to connect with those deemed socially unacceptable or morally flawed by common standards.
  • Inclusive community: Calls churches and believers to be communities of welcome and transformation for all people, reflecting God's heart for the lost, rather than exclusive clubs for the "righteous."
  • Love for the marginalized: Motivates believers to actively seek out and demonstrate love and acceptance to the marginalized, recognizing their spiritual needs and potential for change through Christ.