{Publicans and sinners} ( el(936e)ai kai hamart(936c)oi). Often
coupled together in common scorn and in contrast with the
righteous (dikaioi in 9:13 ). It was a strange medley at
Levi's feast (Jesus and the four fisher disciples, Nathanael and
Philip; Matthew Levi and his former companions, publicans and
sinners; Pharisees with their scribes or students as on-lookers;
disciples of John the Baptist who were fasting at the very time
that Jesus was feasting and with such a group). The Pharisees
criticize sharply "your teacher" for such a social breach of
"reclining" together with publicans at Levi's feast.
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