Charles Ellicott Commentary Luke 15:1

"Now all the publicans and sinners were drawing near unto him to hear him." — Luke 15:1 (ASV)

Then drew near to him . . .—Better, and all the publicans and the sinners were drawing near to hear Him. There is not quite the same direct sequence in the Greek as in the English, but what follows comes naturally after the mention of the “multitudes” in Luke 14:25. Publicans and sinners knew that Jesus had turned, as in indignation, from the house of the Pharisee, and this, it may be, gave them courage to approach Him.