Luke 15:1

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Luke 15:1-10

Here is, I. The diligent attendance of the publicans and sinners upon Christ's ministry. Great multitudes of Jews went with him (Luke 14:25), with such an assurance of admission into the kingdom of God that he found it requisite to say that to them which would shake their vain hopes. Here multitudes of publicans and sinners drew near to him, with a humble modest fear of being rejected by him, and to them he found it requisite to give encouragement, especially because there were some haughty... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Luke 15:1-7

15:1-7 The tax-collectors and sinners were all coming near to Jesus to hear him, and the Pharisees and scribes were murmuring, saying, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." He spoke this parable to them. "What man of you," he said, "who has a hundred sheep, and who hast lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he finds it, rejoicing he lays it on his shoulders; and when he comes home he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 15:1

Then drew near to him ,.... To "Jesus", as the Persic and Ethiopic versions express it: this was on the sabbath day, and either when he was in the Pharisee's house, where he was invited to dinner, Luke 14:1 or rather when he came out of it, when the multitude, who could not come near him whilst there, took the opportunity of gathering about him; even all the publicans and sinners ; whom the Pharisee would not admit into his house, it being contrary to their traditions to eat, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 15:1

Publicans and sinners - Τελωναι και ἁμαρτωλοι , tax-gatherers and heathens; persons who neither believed in Christ nor in Moses. See the note on Luke 7:36 . Concerning the tax-gatherers, see the note on Matthew 5:46 . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 15:1-2

Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This Man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them ; more accurately rendered, there were drawing near to him. This was now, in the last stage of the final journey, the usual state of things. The great outside- class came in crowds to listen to Jesus. These were men and women who, through home and family associations, through their occupations, which were looked upon with... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 15:1-2

A bitter charge the highest tribute, The great Teacher himself said that the things which are highly esteemed among men may be abomination in the sight of God; and we may safely assume that the converse of this proposition is true also. Certainly, in this bitter charge brought against our Lord we now perceive the very highest tribute which could be paid him. I. A BITTER CHARGE AGAINST THE SAVIOUR . It is not easy for us to realize the intensity of the feeling here expressed.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 15:1-10

Murmurs on earth, and joy in heaven. Our blessed Lord, in his progress towards Jerusalem, had shown the same kindly interest in the outcast classes which had always characterized him, and his love was beginning to tell. Publicans and sinners gathered eagerly around him to hear his tender, saving words; while the reputable Pharisees and scribes eyed him from a distance with self-righteous suspicion. Their murmurs, however inaudible to mere man, were audible to him to whom all things are... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 15:1-32

The Lord speaks his three parable-stories of the "lost," in which he explains his reason for loving and receiving the sinful. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 15:1

Publicans and sinners - See the notes at Matthew 9:10. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Luke 15:1

Luke 15:1. Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners That is, some of all the different classes of publicans, or all those of that place, and some other notorious sinners; for to hear him Being influenced to do so through the condescension and kindness which he manifested toward all descriptions of persons, the most abandoned not excepted. Some suppose they came by a particular appointment from all the neighbouring parts. But as Luke goes on in the story, without any... read more

Group of Brands