Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 15:2

"And both the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them." — Luke 15:2 (ASV)

In OT times it was taken for granted that God’s people did not consort with sinners (cf. Psalms 1), but the Pharisees extended this beyond the biblical intent. To go so far as to “welcome” them and especially to “eat” with them, implying table fellowship, was unthinkable to them. The parables that follow show that the return of “sinners” to God should be a cause for joy to the religious leaders, just as it was to God.