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15 And it happened that Jesus was [a]reclining at the table in Levi’s house, and many tax collectors and sinners [including non-observant Jews] were eating with Him and His disciples; for there were many of them and they were [b]following Him. 16 When the scribes [belonging to the sect] of the [c]Pharisees saw that Jesus was eating with the sinners [including non-observant Jews] and tax collectors, they asked His disciples, “Why does He eat and drink with [d]tax collectors and sinners?” 17 When Jesus heard this, He said to them, “Those who are healthy have no need of a physician, but [only] those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners [who recognize their sin and humbly seek forgiveness].”

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Footnotes

  1. Mark 2:15 This Greek word was used to describe a festive meal with entertainment.
  2. Mark 2:15 See note 1:17.
  3. Mark 2:16 These men were an influential religious body of Jews who rigidly adhered to Mosaic Law and ceremonial tradition. Jesus called them to account for their self-righteousness and hypocrisy.
  4. Mark 2:16 All native Jews contracted by Rome to collect local taxes were despised, along with those who were non-observant Jews.

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