Christ in the Company of Social Outcasts
S. Baring-Gould, M. A. Luke 5:30 But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do you eat and drink with publicans and sinners? The Jews and Egyptians, and indeed other peoples, were very scrupulous with whom they ate, much as are the Hindoos to the present day. It will be remembered that Joseph (Genesis 43:32) ate with his brethren apart, and the Egyptians by themselves, for it was an abomination to the latter to eat with Hebrews. And so the old Tobias, during the Assyrian captivity, exhorted his son not to eat and drink with sinners. Christ, by sitting down to table with these despised and excommunicate publicans, add with heathen, broke through the caste rules, of which separation at table was the most conspicuous symbol. He showed that this holding aloof from others, whether it were national or individual, was contrary to the principles of the gospel, against the fundamental laws of His Church. (S. Baring-Gould, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners? WEB: Their scribes and the Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?"