King James Version

What Does Mark 2:16 Mean?

Mark 2:16 in the King James Version says “And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that ...” — study this verse from Mark chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?”

Mark 2:16 · KJV

Context

14

And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him. at the: or, at the place where the custom was received

15

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.

16

And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?

17

When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

18

And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The scribes and Pharisees' question ('How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?') reveals their theological framework: association with sinners implies approval of sin. They assumed that holiness requires separation from contamination. Jesus' behavior scandalized them because rabbis typically avoided such fellowship to maintain ritual purity and moral reputation. However, they failed to distinguish between compromising with sin and showing mercy to sinners. Jesus' holiness wasn't fragile ceremonialism requiring protective isolation but robust righteousness that transforms others through contact. Reformed theology recognizes two errors: the Pharisaic error of self-righteous separation, and the worldly error of compromising with sin.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Pharisees (meaning 'separated ones') emphasized strict Torah observance and ritual purity. They developed extensive oral traditions regulating all life areas. Their food laws extended beyond biblical kosher requirements to include ritual hand-washing and separation from the ceremonially unclean. Table fellowship was particularly significant—sharing meals with sinners could render one ceremonially impure. The Pharisees' question reflects genuine confusion: how could a prophet claiming divine authority violate purity standards?

Reflection Questions

  1. Do you view sinners as people to avoid or as mission fields for gospel proclamation?
  2. How can you maintain moral purity while still engaging meaningfully with non-believers?
  3. What does Jesus' example teach about balancing biblical holiness with gospel accessibility?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 28 words
καὶ1 of 28

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

οἱ2 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

γραμματεῖς3 of 28

“when the scribes”

G1122

a professional writer

καὶ4 of 28

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

οἱ5 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Φαρισαῖοι,6 of 28

“Pharisees”

G5330

a separatist, i.e., exclusively religious; a pharisean, i.e., jewish sectary

ἰδόντες7 of 28

“saw”

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

αὐτοῦ8 of 28

“unto his”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἐσθίει9 of 28

“he eateth”

G2068

used only in certain tenses, the rest being supplied by g5315; to eat (usually literal)

μετὰ10 of 28

“with”

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

τῶν11 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

τελωνῶν12 of 28

“publicans”

G5057

a tax-farmer, i.e., collector of public revenue

καὶ13 of 28

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἁμαρτωλῶν14 of 28

“sinners”

G268

sinful, i.e., a sinner

ἔλεγον15 of 28

“they said”

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

τοῖς16 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μαθηταῖς17 of 28

“disciples”

G3101

a learner, i.e., pupil

αὐτοῦ18 of 28

“unto his”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Τι19 of 28

“How”

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

ὅτι20 of 28

“is it that”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

μετὰ21 of 28

“with”

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

τῶν22 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

τελωνῶν23 of 28

“publicans”

G5057

a tax-farmer, i.e., collector of public revenue

καὶ24 of 28

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἁμαρτωλῶν25 of 28

“sinners”

G268

sinful, i.e., a sinner

ἐσθίει26 of 28

“he eateth”

G2068

used only in certain tenses, the rest being supplied by g5315; to eat (usually literal)

καὶ27 of 28

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

πίνει28 of 28

“drinketh”

G4095

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Mark. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Mark 2:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Mark 2:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Luke 18:11Luke 19:7Luke 19:10Acts 23:91 Corinthians 2:15Isaiah 65:5

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