And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him.
Here is, I. Christ preaching by the sea-side (Mar 2:13), whither he went for room, because he found, upon second trial, no house or street large enough to contain his auditory; but upon the strand there might come as many as would. It should seem by this, that our Lord Jesus had a strong voice, and could and did speak loud; for wisdom crieth without in the places of concourse.
Commenting on Mark 2:13-17
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...
Verse 15. Sat at meat in his house. The words "at meat" are not in the original. The phrase means, as he reclined at his meal "--or "as he was eating." This feast was made by Matthew, in honour of the Saviour. See . Publicans. . Sinners. Sinners of abandoned character--of the same character that publicans commonly sustained--fit companions of publicans--great sinners. There were many. That is, many disciples.