Luke 15:2Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Tell me, O Pharisee, why do you grumble that Christ chose not to associate with tax collectors and sinners, yet provided them with a path to salvation? In order to save humanity, He willingly embraced emptiness, becoming like us and taking on our human frailty. What, then, do you criticize about the Incarnation of the Only Begotten? Do you fail to see that He who is above all humbled Himself from His heavenly throne? Will you dare to pass judgment on the Incarnation? The holy prophets themselves were in awe of this glorious mystery. The psalmist David affirms: “Sing with understanding: ‘God has set a King over all nations.’” Likewise, the prophet Habakkuk states, “And he heard his hearing, and feared, and considered his works, and marvelled.” How can you be so unashamed to reproach that which deserves your admiration? Do you wish for the Lord of all to be harsh and unyielding, rather than compassionate and gracious toward mankind?

Upon witnessing this, the Pharisees asked His disciples why their Master would share meals with such individuals. Jesus overheard their inquiry and replied that it is the sick, not the healthy, who need a physician. He then invited them to understand His desire for mercy rather than sacrifice, affirming that He had not come to call the righteous but sinners. Mark corroborates this perspective. Thus, it is evident that the entire question arises from the rigid interpretation of the law, which lacked compassion. Under the law, there was no clemency for transgressors; every offender, including adulterers and murderers, could not escape their sins through mere repentance but faced strict retribution, as commanded eye for eye (Ex. 21). Consequently, ‘all have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one’ (Ps. 13:3). However, ‘where sin increased, grace abounded’ (Rom. 5:20). God sent His Son, born of a woman (Gal. 4:4), who dismantled barriers, uniting all (Eph. 2:13) and tempered the law's harshness with the gospel's grace. Therefore, in his letters, Paul extends the greeting, ‘Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ’ (Rom. 1:7), emphasizing that grace is a gift rather than a reward for merit. This peace signifies our reconciliation with God, facilitated by our Lord Jesus Christ, who pardoned our offenses, nullified the decree of death against us by nailing it to the cross, and openly triumphed over the powers of darkness. What greater act of compassion exists than the Son of God becoming the Son of Man, enduring months of human vulnerability, waiting for the pains of birth, being wrapped in swaddling clothes, and obeying His earthly parents? He transcended the ages and, after enduring scorn, punishment, and scourging, willingly accepted the curse of the cross to liberate us from the law's condemnation. He fulfilled His intercessory prayer: ‘Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, may be with Me where I am’ (John 17:22). Since Christ came to triumph through incomprehensible mercy over what the law could not achieve, as no one could be justified by it, He extended His call to repentance to tax collectors and sinners, joining them even at their feasts to impart truth amidst celebration. Anyone who reads the gospel attentively can see how the Lord’s actions relating to food, drink, and daily life contributed to humanity’s salvation. The scribes and Pharisees observed this and accused Him of breaching the law, calling Him a glutton and a wine-drinker, a friend of tax collectors and sinners (Matt. 11:19), much like their previous accusations regarding His work on the Sabbath.

In this way, they nurture those under their guidance through instruction and embody humility in their own hearts. Conversely, those who take pride in false righteousness tend to scorn others, lacking compassion for the vulnerable, and the more convinced they become of their own innocence, the harsher they view the sins of others. Such were the Pharisees, who, while rebuking the Lord for welcoming sinners, consistently derided the very essence of mercy.

In their view, only those who were sinful could associate with other sinners, leading them to conclude that if Jesus did not shun these individuals, He must Himself be a sinner. This contradiction perplexed them: how could such a person command the attention of the masses? Their frustration with this situation became increasingly vocal.

However, this divine mission was not understood by the Pharisees and scribes, who, bolstered by their self-righteousness, grumbled and openly voiced their dissatisfaction, saying, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." Through these remarks, the envious sought to tarnish the reputation of the pure and holy One, insinuating that He was akin to those with whom He chose to associate closely.

Furthermore, Christ recognized admirable qualities even in the most sinful. Regardless of how far one strays into moral corruption, they remain human rather than beastly; beneath the heavy layers of sin, they still bear the image and likeness of God. It is possible for a sinner to exhibit greater strength of mind and will than a righteous person. Unfortunately, these faculties are often misdirected towards evil, but what if they were turned towards goodness? Imagine if the wisest individuals of this world could apply their intellect to acts of love for God and their neighbors, and if those who commit wrongs were to redirect their will towards righteousness. Such a transformation would be immensely beneficial for humanity and for God's reign on earth. This was the noble purpose of the Lord Jesus as He sought fellowship with those disdained as sinners by the so-called righteous— the scribes and Pharisees— ultimately leading to sinners being justified, and tax collectors transforming into apostles and evangelists. The proximity of Christ to sinners during His time on earth offers profound encouragement to even the most sorrowful of sinners regarding the redemptive nature of His companionship. Indeed, Christ remains unchanged yesterday, today, and forever. He is perpetually eager to welcome sinners into His communion, actively seeking them and inviting them to partake in His banquet— that is, the fellowship of His church, where abundant spiritual gifts await their nourishment and joy. How wonderful it would be if individuals were as compassionate and approachable to those labeled as wicked and lawless sinners! If Christ, the Incarnate Purity, embraced such individuals, who are we, as fallible beings, to turn them away? The strong are called to support the weak, and acts of brotherly love should facilitate their salvation rather than distance themselves from them. What causes some to plunge into the depths of sin and face destruction? Often, it is due to the apathy of others towards their salvation. Some engage with one another not to aid in spiritual redemption but merely for worldly pursuits, even partaking in corrupting pleasures. This is far from Christian behavior.