Matthew 9:11
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When the Pharisees saw this, they asked His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
And when the Pharisees--"and scribes," add Mark and Luke (Mar 2:6; Luk 5:21). saw it, they said--"murmured" or "muttered," says Luke (Luk 5:30). unto his disciples--not venturing to put their question to Jesus Himself. Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?--(See on Luk 15:2).
Open source ↗We have in this chapter remarkable instances of the power and pity of the Lord Jesus, sufficient to convince us that he is both able to save to the uttermost all that come to God by him, and as willing as he is able. His power and pity appear here in the good offices he did, I. To the bodies of people, in curing the palsy (Mat 9:2-8); raising to life the ruler's daughter, and healing the bloody issue (Mat 9:18-26); giving sight to two blind men (Mat 9:27-31); casting the devil out of one possessed (Mat 9:32-34); and healing all manner of sickness (Mat 9:35). II. To the souls of people; in forgiving sins (Mat 9:2); calling Matthew, and conversing freely with publicans and sinners (Mat 9:9-13); considering the frame of his disciples, with reference to the duty of fasting (Mat 9:14-17); preaching the gospel, and, in compassion to the multitude, providing preachers for them (Mat 9:35-38). Thus did he prove himself to be, as undoubtedly he is, the skilful, faithful Physician, both of soul and body, who has sufficient remedies for all the maladies of both: for which we must, therefore, apply ourselves to him, and glorify him both with our bodies and with our spirits, which are his, in return to him for his kindness to both.
Open source ↗Cross-references
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The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at this glutton and drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is vindicated by her actions.”
But the Pharisees and their scribes complained to Jesus’ disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”
When the scribes who were Pharisees saw Jesus eating with these people, they asked His disciples, “Why does He eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and misguided, since he himself is beset by weakness.
We who are Jews by birth and not Gentile “sinners”
And all who saw this began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinful man!”
They say, ‘Keep to yourself; do not come near me, for I am holier than you!’ Such people are smoke in My nostrils, a fire that burns all day long.
If anyone comes to you but does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your home or even greet him.