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?
What does Mark 2:16 mean?
Matthew was not a good character, or else, being a Jew, he would never have been a publican, that is, a tax-gatherer for the Romans. However, Christ called this publican to follow him.
Key themes
FaithSuffering and trialsDiscipleshipThe cross
Read with
Keep this verse inside Mark 2:14-16 and alongside a few nearby related passages.