Mark 2:15 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →At a meal in Levi's house, many tax collectors and sinners eat with Jesus and his disciples.
What Does Mark 2:15 Mean?
Levi opens his home for a feast, and his old companions fill the table—tax collectors and others labeled "sinners" by the respectable. They recline to eat alongside Jesus and his disciples, drawn by the same teacher who called their host. Mark notes there were many, and they were following him.
To share a meal in that world was to share friendship, and Jesus deliberately takes his place among the outcast. He does not keep grace at arm's length; he sits down with those most aware of their need. The table becomes a picture of the kingdom, where the Lord welcomes the very people others avoid. Those who know they are far off discover that Christ is glad to draw near.
Mark 2:15 in the Original Language
telones (τελώνης), 'publican' -- a tax collector, widely scorned as a traitor and extortioner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mark 2:15
What does Mark 2:15 mean?
At a meal in Levi's house, many tax collectors and sinners eat with Jesus and his disciples.