John Calvin Commentary Matthew 9:11

"And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Teacher with the publicans and sinners?" — Matthew 9:11 (ASV)

Why does your Master eat with tax collectors and sinners? The scribes attacked the disciples of Christ and, aiming to incite them to revolt, reproached Him with what seemed, at first glance, base and shameful.

"What use was it for Him to be their Master," they argued, "if not to withdraw them from the majority of people to lead a holier life? On the contrary, He withdrew them from a respectable and acceptable way of life to ungodly licentiousness and to defile themselves with wicked companions."

Ignorant and wavering disciples might have been persuaded by such reproaches to desert their Master. But they acted properly when, not feeling strong enough to withstand such slander, they took their complaint to their Master, for Christ, by opposing the scribes, strengthened His disciples for the future.