Luke 15:2 Meaning and Explanation
“And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The Pharisees and scribes grumble that Jesus welcomes sinners and even eats with them. Their complaint sets up the three parables that follow.
What Does Luke 15:2 Mean?
While the outcasts press near, the Pharisees and scribes stand back and murmur. In that world, to share a table was to extend fellowship and honor; eating with sinners looked to them like a holy teacher staining his own name.
Their charge — "This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them" — is spoken as an indictment, and it is perfectly true. It may be the best sentence ever uttered against anyone. Jesus does not deny it; he tells three stories to show that heaven itself stands behind his table. The accusation meant for shame has become the gospel's summary: Christ receives sinners. Everything that follows in this chapter is his defense of that welcome.
Luke 15:2 in the Original Language
diagonguzo (διαγογγύζω), 'murmured' -- to grumble throughout a crowd; the Greek Old Testament uses this word for Israel's complaining in the wilderness.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 15:2
What does Luke 15:2 mean?
The Pharisees and scribes grumble that Jesus welcomes sinners and even eats with them. Their complaint sets up the three parables that follow.