Luke 15 · Verse 2

Luke 15:2

And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
Luke 15:2, King James Version

Luke 15:2 in other translations

BSBSo the Pharisees and scribes began to grumble: “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
WEBThe Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, “This man welcomes sinners, and eats with them.”
ASVAnd both the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
YLTand the Pharisees and the scribes were murmuring, saying--This one doth receive sinners, and doth eat with them.'
DARBYand the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, This man receives sinners and eats with them.
BBEAnd the Pharisees and scribes were angry, saying, This man gives approval to sinners, and takes food with them.
WebsterAnd the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

What does Luke 15:2 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
2. murmured, saying, &c.--took it ill, were scandalized at Him, and insinuated (on the principle that a man is known by the company he keeps) that He must have some secret sympathy with their character. But oh, what a truth of unspeakable preciousness do their lips, as on other occasions, unconsciously utter., Now follow three parables representing the sinner: (1) in his stupidity; (2) as all-unconscious of his lost condition; (3) knowingly and willingly estranged from God [Bengel]. The first two set forth the seeking love of God; the last, His receiving love [Trench].

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 2. Murmured. They affected to suppose that if Jesus treated sinners kindly he must be fond of their society, and be a man of similar character. They considered it disgraceful to be with them or to eat with them, and they therefore brought a charge against him for it. They would not suppose that he admitted them to his society for the purpose of doing them good; nor did they remember that the very object of his coming was to call the wicked from their ways and to save them from death.

Receiveth sinners. Receives them in a tender manner; treats them with kindness; does not drive them from his presence.

And eateth with them. Contrary to the received maxims of the scribes. By eating with them he showed that he did not despise or overlook them.

(b) "murmured" Acts 11:3

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 2 Receiveth sinners - Προσδεχεται. He receives them cordially, affectionately - takes them to his bosom; for so the word implies. What mercy! Jesus receives sinners in the most loving, affectionate manner, and saves them unto eternal life! Reader, give glory to God for ever!

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Luke 15:1-10

The parable of the lost sheep is very applicable to the great work of man's redemption. The lost sheep represents the sinner as departed from God, and exposed to certain ruin if not brought back to him, yet not desirous to return. Christ is earnest in bringing sinners home. In the parable of the lost piece of silver, that which is lost, is one piece, of small value compared with the rest. Yet the woman seeks…

Read the full comment on Luke 15:1-10 →

Luke 15:2 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

καὶkaiAndG2532
διεγόγγυζονdiegonguzonwere grumblingG1234
οἵoitheG3588
ΦαρισαῖοιPharisaioiPhariseesG5330
καὶkaiandG2532
οἱhoitheG3588
γραμματεῖςgrammateisscribesG1122
λέγοντεςlegontessayingG3004
ὅτιhotithatG3754
οὗτοςhoutosThis [man]G3778
ἁμαρτωλοὺςhamartōloussinnersG268
προσδέχεταιprosdechetaireceivesG4327
καὶkaiandG2532
συνεσθίειsunesthieihe eats withG4906
αὐτοῖς.¶autoisthem.G846

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Luke 15:2

  • Matthew 9:11

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

  • Luke 7:39

    Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.

  • Luke 19:7

    And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.

  • Luke 5:30

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

  • Acts 11:3

    Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.

  • Galatians 2:12

    For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.

  • Luke 7:34

    The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!

  • Luke 15:29-30

    And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.

  • 1 Corinthians 5:9-11

    I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
29,30; 5:30; 7:34,39; 19:7; Mt 9:11; Ac 11:3; 1Co 5:9-11; Ga 2:12

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Luke 15:1

    Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.

  • Luke 15:2

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

  • Luke 15:3

    And he spake this parable unto them, saying,

Read all of Luke 15

Luke 15:2 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
Y murmuraban los Fariseos y los escribas, diciendo: Este á los pecadores recibe, y con ellos come.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
Et les pharisiens et les scribes murmuraient, disant: Celui-ci reçoit des pécheurs, et mange avec eux.
German
Elberfelder 1871
und die Pharisäer und die Schriftgelehrten murrten und sprachen: Dieser nimmt Sünder auf und isset mit ihnen.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate
Et murmurabant pharisæi, et scribæ, dicentes: Quia hic peccatores recipit, et manducat cum illis.