Matthew 9:10 Meaning and Explanation
“And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jesus shares a meal with many tax collectors and sinners, welcoming them to his table.
What Does Matthew 9:10 Mean?
The scene moves to a house, likely Matthew's own, where a meal is being shared. Tax collectors and others labeled "sinners" by the religious gather around Jesus and his disciples at the table. In that culture, to share a meal with someone was to share fellowship, friendship, and acceptance; the table was a place of belonging, not merely of food.
Jesus does not wait for the outcast to clean up their lives before he draws near to them. He sits among them, eats their bread, and counts them his company without apology. The table becomes a living picture of grace: the very people that religion had kept at arm's length now find the Lord himself seated beside them, sharing their meal and seeking their hearts. Welcome, not avoidance, marks his way.
Matthew 9:10 in the Original Language
telonai (τελῶναι), 'publicans' -- collectors of taxes for Rome, widely scorned as dishonest and disloyal.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 9:10
What does Matthew 9:10 mean?
Jesus shares a meal with many tax collectors and sinners, welcoming them to his table.