Matthew 9:11Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The Pharisees were unresponsive to logic; they scolded Jesus' followers. On another occasion, perceiving the disciples had erred, the Pharisees directed their accusations toward the Master, declaring, ‘Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the Sabbath’ (Matthew 12:2). In doing so, they spoke ill of the Master in front of His disciples, motivated by malicious intentions to divert the disciples’ attention away from Him.

The Pharisees, seeking to distance His followers from Him, criticized His association with tax collectors over meals.

The scribes consumed by hatred are brought low, while the tax collectors celebrate in grace. Heaven witnessed and was filled with awe, hell observed and was driven to fury. Satan beheld and was wearied, death recognized and was stripped of its authority, the scribes perceived and felt disgrace, while the Pharisees looked on and were bewildered.

Mark and Luke both report that the scribes and Pharisees expressed this notion. When they perceive the disciples committing wrongdoing, they approach the Teacher and proclaim, “Behold, thy disciples do what they ought not to do on the Sabbath.” When the Teacher discerns their intentions, they maliciously attempt to defame Him in front of His followers, aiming to sway them away from Him. Yet, what does Divine Wisdom respond?

The Jewish leaders were envious that the Lord was interacting with tax collectors and sinners. However, the Lord presented them with the words of the law, obscured by their disbelief, and taught that He offers aid to the afflicted and healing to the broken. He pointed out that those who see themselves as whole have no need of restoration. To help them understand that none were truly whole, Christ invited them to grasp the significance of mercy rather than sacrifice (Hosea 6:6). This teaches that the law, by itself, cannot offer the necessary aid through offerings, and that true salvation lies in compassion and forgiveness. For I have not come to summon the righteous, but sinners to repentance. The Lord reached out to all, yet He mentions that He did not summon the righteous.

In a symbolic or spiritual sense, Matthew's home can be perceived as a representation of his mind, where Christ entered due to Matthew's belief in His grace. We know that He truly dined there, as Matthew was privileged to be the writer of the Gospel, where he narrates the deeds and might of the Lord. In doing so, he offers a divine banquet not only to the Lord and His disciples, but also to all believers who, having once been tax collectors and sinners, have come to recognize Christ and are honored to partake in such a celebration. Indeed, Matthew's house can symbolize a congregation formed from tax collectors and sinners, where Matthew provides all believers with a feast of faith and teaching, for the Lord is among His disciples within this gathering.

Genuine holiness never despises sinners. A true believer detests sin but shows no disdain toward those who commit it; they reject evil actions but embrace those who commit them. The scribes and Pharisees, proud of their self-proclaimed righteousness, looked down upon sinners and criticized the apostles by asking, “Why does your Master eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” (Matthew 9:11). Yet Christ, who is the epitome of holiness and the very source of sanctity, did not turn away from any sinner. His devoted followers likewise abhor sins without rejecting sinners; they loathe sinful acts but extend sympathy and compassion to those who commit them. Let the arrogance of the Pharisees be brought to shame for their contempt of sinners, revealing their own flawed nature!

The Lord once entered the home of Matthew, a tax collector, and in doing so, transformed him into an apostle, as the incarnate God sat to share a meal with those deemed sinners. Observing this, the Pharisees were troubled. They questioned Jesus' disciples, asking, "Why does your Master eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?" Let me ask you, Pharisees, why do you label them as sinners? Would it not be more accurate to consider them joyful and blessed, even akin to angels or Cherubim, since God chose to be with them? Would it not be more fitting for you to acknowledge, "We too are sinners, and we implore you, merciful Jesus, to accept us at Your feet"? These sinners are preferred by You, the Heart and true Judge, while You have overlooked us and chosen to recline with them.

NOTING THAT, O PHARISEES, in light of His compassionate engagement with individuals they deemed to be clear sinners, and yet lacking the boldness to voice their concerns to the Lord directly, these pretenders attempted to confuse His humble followers. They questioned His disciples, saying, WHY DOES YOUR MASTER EAT AND DRINK WITH SINNERS AND THOSE WHO ARE WICKED? Why does He pursue a relationship with people exhibiting such unfavorable conduct? Why does He ignore our existence? 'As St Philaret comments, ‘it is not the teacher of the disciples that ought to instruct, but rather the disciples of the teacher who should illustrate proper behavior.

Rather than recognizing the love of the Son of Man, they approached his disciples with a disparaging attitude, seeking to turn them against him. They reproached, asking indignantly, “Why does your teacher dine with tax collectors and sinners, while disregarding you?” In response, Jesus spoke for his disciples, posing the question: whom should a doctor assist, the healthy or the ill? You consider yourselves strong; what is so surprising that the Son of Man does not engage with you? Furthermore, those of you well-versed in the law should remember the words of God through the prophet: “I desire mercy, not sacrifice,” and not disdain those whom your pride has cast aside.

The Pharisees, who were followers of Jesus, refrained from entering the house of the tax collector to avoid becoming ceremonially unclean. However, they closely observed all that Jesus did. They recognized that He was dining alongside tax collectors and other sinners at Matthew's residence. After monitoring the situation until those at the table had departed, they posed a question to Jesus’ disciples: “Why does your Teacher dine with tax collectors and sinners?” They believed that a devout Jew would remain separate from such individuals, and they judged that if Jesus shared a meal with them, He Himself was a sinner.

To share a meal together, a practice rooted in Eastern tradition, indicates a level of closeness among those at the table. The Pharisees, who viewed themselves as virtuous, posed this question to the Lord's disciples, implying that Jesus was trying to forge connections with individuals they deemed immoral. This led them to question His own righteousness, suggesting that His association with sinners and tax collectors reflected poorly on Him. Chrysostom observes that they maliciously defame the Master in front of His disciples, aiming to entice them away from Him.

The scribes and Pharisees observed the actions and teachings of the Lord and noted His visit to the home of a tax collector, where He associated with tax collectors and sinners. They interpreted this behavior as a significant deviation from their customs, which prohibited mingling with such individuals. Lacking an understanding of God’s profound mercy, which beckons the lost towards repentance and salvation, and not daring to voice their concerns directly to Jesus, they instead redirected their inquiries to His disciples: “Why do tax collectors and sinners eat and drink? Why does your Master eat and drink with them? Why do you join them in this?”