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I. THE WORDS, AS THEY WERE INTENDED, CONTAIN A FALSE AND MALICIOUS CALUMNY. "This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them." The fact itself was undeniable: but what interpretation did the Pharisees wish to put upon it?

1. They meant to insinuate that the followers of Jesus consisted chiefly of worthless and disreputable characters; and this was false.

2. These murmurers meant to insinuate, further, that Jesus loved the company of sinners for its own sake; and this again was false.

3. Or, perhaps, they meant to insinuate, that those whom He favourably received continued sinners still; and this was as false as the rest.

II. THE SAME WORDS UNDESIGNEDLY EXPRESS A MOST GLORIOUS TRUTH. They truly describe —

1. The persons on whose behalf the Son of Man is interested — "This man receiveth sinners."(1) None but sinners — among the race of Adam, at least — have any concern or part in Jesus Christ.

(2) The vilest of sinners are not shut out from partaking in that mercy, which is equally needful to the most virtuous.

(3) Once more — sin still dwelleth even in those who have partaken of the mercy of Christ; yet doth He not cast them off. And why? Because He is not displeased to behold sin in His followers? God forbid! No — but because He delights to see them "fighting manfully" against it, and gradually overcoming it through the power of His grace.

2. The regard which He shows toward them — He "receiveth them, and eateth with them."(1) He receives them to His own favour, and to that of His Father.

(2) He receives them to spiritual communion with Himself, and with His Father.

(3) He receives them, finally, to His visible presence in the kingdom of His Father.

(J. Jowett, M. A.)

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KJV: Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.

WEB: Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming close to him to hear him.