And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?

People's New Testament

9:11 When the Pharisees saw it. They were not at feast, but were on the watch.

Why eateth your Master? etc. The strict Jews would not eat with Gentiles, and these classes were regarded by them on a level with the heathen (Ac 11:3 Ga 2:12).

Wesley's Notes

9:11 The Pharisees said to his disciples, Why eateth your Master? - Thus they commonly ask our Lord, Why do thy disciples this? And his disciples, Why doth your Master?

Scofield Reference Notes

Margin sinners

Sin. See Scofield Note: "Rom 3:23".

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

11. And when the Pharisees-"and scribes," add Mark and Luke (Mr 2:6; Lu 5:21).

saw it, they said-"murmured" or "muttered," says Luke (Lu 5:30).

unto his disciples-not venturing to put their question to Jesus Himself.

Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?-(See on [1242]Lu 15:2).

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

9:10-13 Some time after his call, Matthew sought to bring his old associates to hear Christ. He knew by experience what the grace of Christ could do, and would not despair concerning them. Those who are effectually brought to Christ, cannot but desire that others also may be brought to him. Those who suppose their souls to be without disease will not welcome the spiritual Physician. This was the case with the Pharisees; they despised Christ, because they thought themselves whole; but the poor publicans and sinners felt that they wanted instruction and amendment. It is easy, and too common, to put the worst constructions upon the best words and actions. It may justly be suspected that those have not the grace of God themselves, who are not pleased with others' obtaining it. Christ's conversing with sinners is here called mercy; for to promote the conversion of souls is the greatest act of mercy. The gospel call is a call to repentance; a call to us to change our minds, and to change our ways. If the children of men had not been sinners, there had been no need for Christ to come among them. Let us examine whether we have found out our sickness, and have learned to follow the directions of our great Physician.