Matthew 9:11
New International Version
When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

New Living Translation
But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?”

English Standard Version
And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

Berean Standard Bible
When the Pharisees saw this, they asked His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

Berean Literal Bible
And having seen it, the Pharisees said to His disciples, "Why does your Teacher eat with the tax collectors and sinners?"

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

New King James Version
And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

New American Standard Bible
And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, “Why is your Teacher eating with the tax collectors and sinners?”

NASB 1995
When the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, “Why is your Teacher eating with the tax collectors and sinners?”

NASB 1977
And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, “Why is your Teacher eating with the tax-gatherers and sinners?”

Legacy Standard Bible
And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, “Why is your Teacher eating with the tax collectors and sinners?”

Amplified Bible
When the Pharisees saw this, they asked His disciples, “Why does your Master eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

Christian Standard Bible
When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When the Pharisees saw this, they asked His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

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

Contemporary English Version
Some Pharisees asked Jesus' disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and other sinners?"

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The Pharisees saw this and asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"

Good News Translation
Some Pharisees saw this and asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with such people?"

International Standard Version
The Pharisees saw this and asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"

Majority Standard Bible
When the Pharisees saw this, they asked His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

NET Bible
When the Pharisees saw this they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"

New Heart English Bible
And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to his disciples, "Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"

Webster's Bible Translation
And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?

Weymouth New Testament
The Pharisees noticed this, and they inquired of His disciples, "Why does your Teacher eat with the tax-gatherers and notorious sinners?"

World English Bible
When the Pharisees saw it, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and the Pharisees having seen, said to His disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with the tax collectors and sinners?”

Berean Literal Bible
And having seen it, the Pharisees said to His disciples, "Why does your Teacher eat with the tax collectors and sinners?"

Young's Literal Translation
and the Pharisees having seen, said to his disciples, 'Wherefore with the tax-gatherers and sinners doth your teacher eat?'

Smith's Literal Translation
And the Pharisees, seeing, said to his disciples, Wherefore does your teacher eat with tax collectors and the sinful?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the Pharisees seeing it, said to his disciples: Why doth your master eat with publicans and sinners?

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the Pharisees, seeing this, said to his disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

New American Bible
The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

New Revised Standard Version
When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to his disciples, Why does your master eat with publicans and sinners?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And when the Pharisees saw, they were saying to his disciples, “Why does your master eat with Tax Collectors and sinners?”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to his disciples: "Why does your teacher eat with publicans and sinners?

Godbey New Testament
And the Pharisees seeing, said to His disciples, Wherefore does your teacher eat with publicans and sinners?

Haweis New Testament
And the Pharisees observing it, said to his disciples, How is this, that your Master eateth with publicans and sinners?

Mace New Testament
which the Pharisees observing, why, said they to his disciples, is your master so familiar with publicans and such loose people?

Weymouth New Testament
The Pharisees noticed this, and they inquired of His disciples, "Why does your Teacher eat with the tax-gatherers and notorious sinners?"

Worrell New Testament
And the Pharisees, seeing it, said to His disciples, Why is your Teacher eating with the tax-collectors and sinners?"

Worsley New Testament
And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to his disciples, Why doth your master eat with publicans and sinners?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Calling of Matthew
10Later, as Jesus was dining at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with Him and His disciples. 11When the Pharisees saw this, they asked His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.…

Cross References
Mark 2:16
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?”

Luke 5:30
But the Pharisees and their scribes complained to Jesus’ disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”

Luke 15:1-2
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were gathering around to listen to Jesus. / So the Pharisees and scribes began to grumble: “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

Luke 19:7
And all who saw this began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinful man!”

Matthew 11:19
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.”

Mark 2:17
On hearing this, Jesus told them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Luke 7:34
The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at this glutton and drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’

Acts 10:28
He said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with a foreigner or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean.

Acts 11:3
and said, “You visited uncircumcised men and ate with them.”

Galatians 2:12
For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself, for fear of those in the circumcision group.

1 Corinthians 5:9-11
I wrote you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people. / I was not including the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. / But now I am writing you not to associate with anyone who claims to be a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a verbal abuser, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.

1 Corinthians 9:22
To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.

Romans 14:3
The one who eats everything must not belittle the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted him.

Romans 14:10
Why, then, do you judge your brother? Or why do you belittle your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.

Isaiah 65:5
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.


Treasury of Scripture

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

they said.

Mark 2:16
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?

Mark 9:14-16
And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them…

Why.

Matthew 11:19
The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.

Isaiah 65:5
Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.

Luke 5:30
But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?

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Collectors Disciples Eat Eateth Eating Food Inquired Master Noticed Notorious Pharisees Publicans Sinners Tax Tax-Farmers Tax-Gatherers Teacher Wherefore
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Matthew 9
1. Jesus heals a paralytic
9. calls Matthew from the receipt of custom;
10. eats with tax collectors and sinners;
14. defends his disciples for not fasting;
20. cures the sick woman;
23. raises Jairus' daughter from death;
27. gives sight to two blind men;
32. heals a mute man possessed of a demon;
36. and has compassion on the multitude.














When the Pharisees saw this
The Pharisees were a religious group known for their strict adherence to the Law of Moses and the traditions of the elders. The Greek word for "Pharisees" is "Pharisaioi," which means "separated ones." Historically, they were influential in Jewish society and often positioned themselves as guardians of religious purity. Their observation of Jesus dining with those considered unclean by societal standards highlights their focus on external righteousness and ritual purity.

they asked His disciples
The Pharisees approached the disciples rather than Jesus directly, which may indicate a strategic move to sow doubt or confusion among His followers. The Greek verb "epērōtēsan" implies a questioning that is more than mere curiosity; it suggests a challenge or confrontation. This reflects the tension between Jesus' ministry and the established religious norms of the time.

Why does your Teacher
The term "Teacher" (Greek: "didaskalos") was a title of respect, acknowledging Jesus' role as a rabbi or instructor. However, the Pharisees' use of the term here may carry a tone of skepticism or irony, questioning the legitimacy of His teachings given His association with those deemed unrighteous.

eat with tax collectors and sinners?
In the cultural and historical context of first-century Judea, sharing a meal was a sign of fellowship and acceptance. Tax collectors were particularly despised as they were seen as collaborators with the Roman occupiers and often engaged in extortion. The term "sinners" (Greek: "hamartōloi") was used broadly to describe those who lived outside the Pharisaic interpretation of the law. Jesus' willingness to eat with such individuals was radical and countercultural, demonstrating His mission to reach the lost and marginalized. This act of dining with them symbolizes the inclusivity of the Gospel and the breaking down of social and religious barriers.

(11) When the Pharisees saw it.--"Scribes of the Pharisees" (Mark 2:16). These were probably those who had been present at the healing of the paralytic. the scribes who had come from Jerusalem. They, of course, would not enter the publican's house, but they stood outside and watched the mingled guests with wonder, and asked their two-fold question, "Why do ye eat and drink . . . (Luke 5:30)?" "Why doth your Master . . .?"

Verse 11. - And when the Pharisees. Mentioned thus far only in Matthew 3:7 and Matthew 5:20. This is, therefore, the first time that Matthew speaks of them as coming into direct contact with Jesus. Although Mark (cf. Luke) says that the objection was raised by those among the Pharisees who were also scribes (οἱ γραμματεῖς τῶν Φαρισαίων), yet the difference of expression from that in ver. 3 must not be overlooked. There the fact that they were scribes, accustomed to weigh the statements of the Law about blasphemy, etc., was prominent in the mind of the narrator; here it is rather the fact that they were Pharisees, men who by their very name professed to hold aloof from those who neglected the Law. Saw it. They could freely come into the court of the house, and when there could both see and hear what was passing in the rooms that opened into it. They said; ἔλεγον: dieebaat (Vulgate); "were saying." Their eager talk is brought vividly before us. Unto his disciples. Probably these were nearer to the Pharisees than Jesus himself was, or perhaps the Pharisees thought it easier to attack Jesus through them. On the naturalness of this remark in the mouth of Pharisees, vide Schurer, II. 2. p. 25. Why eateth your Master (διδάσκαλος); Teacher (Revised Version margin) is preferable, for both Pharisees and disciples realized that even Jesus' actions were intended to instruct his followers. But the reason for this action (why, cf. also ver. 14) they did not understand. It is possible that the order of the Greek points to irony on the part of the Pharisees. The man who presumes to be called Teacher, and whom the disciples accept as such, sets at defiance the primary rules of right and wrong. Professor Marshall (Expositor, IV. 4. p. 222) explains the variants "teacher" (here) and "drink" (parallel passages) by the original Aramaic word for "drink" (רוא) having been written here with the peculiar spelling of the Samaritan Targum (רבא). With (the, Revised Version) publicans and sinners? Who form but one class (τῶν τελωνῶν καὶ ἁμαρτωλῶν). (For the thought, cf. Matthew 11:19; Luke 15:2; also Psalm 101:5 [LXX.].

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
When
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

the
οἱ (hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Pharisees
Φαρισαῖοι (Pharisaioi)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5330: Of Hebrew origin; a separatist, i.e. Exclusively religious; a Pharisean, i.e. Jewish sectary.

saw this,
ἰδόντες (idontes)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3708: Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.

they asked
ἔλεγον (elegon)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

His
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

disciples,
μαθηταῖς (mathētais)
Noun - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3101: A learner, disciple, pupil. From manthano; a learner, i.e. Pupil.

“Why
Διὰ (Dia)
Preposition
Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.

{does} your
ὑμῶν (hymōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

Teacher
διδάσκαλος (didaskalos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1320: A teacher, master. From didasko; an instructor.

eat
ἐσθίει (esthiei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2068: Strengthened for a primary edo; used only in certain tenses, the rest being supplied by phago; to eat.

with
μετὰ (meta)
Preposition
Strong's 3326: (a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives.

tax collectors
τελωνῶν (telōnōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 5057: A publican, collector of taxes. From telos and oneomai; a tax-farmer, i.e. Collector of public revenue.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

sinners?”
ἁμαρτωλῶν (hamartōlōn)
Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 268: Sinning, sinful, depraved, detestable. From hamartano; sinful, i.e. A sinner.


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