Mark 2:16

16 And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eating with publicans and sinners, they said to his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners.

Mark 2:16 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 2:16

And when the Scribes and Pharisees saw him eat
They were offended at his eating and drinking, though it was in moderation; because he did not fast as they, and their disciples did; and especially, that he eat

with publicans and sinners;
men of very infamous characters, and bad lives, with whom the Pharisees disdained to keep company:

they said unto his disciples, how is it that he eateth and drinketh
with publicans and sinners?
The Vulgate Latin, Arabic, Persic, and Ethiopic versions read, "your master", (See Gill on Matthew 9:11); so some Greek copies here.

Mark 2:16 In-Context

14 And as he passed by, he saw Levi the [son] of Alpheus, sitting at the receipt of custom, and said to him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.

15 And it came to pass, that as Jesus sat at table in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many, and they followed him.

16 And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eating with publicans and sinners, they said to his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners.

17 When Jesus heard [it], he saith to them, They that are in health, have no need of a physician, but they that are sick; I came not to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.

18 And the disciples of John, and of the Pharisees, used to fast: and they come, and say to him, Why do the disciples of John, and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?