Home > Glossary > TOC > Mark 2 > House of Levi > Verses > Mark 2:16b
| 13a 13b 13c | 14a 14b 14c | 15a 15b 15c | 16a 16b 16c | 17a 17b |

Mk 2:16b ... seeing that he eats with the sinners and tax collectors, ...

The second phrase has these 8 narrator words, ... idontes hoti esthiei meta tōn hamartōlōn kai telōnōn (seeing that he eats with the sinners and tax collectors, ...)?

The 8 text words are top down. The verb "idontes" (to see, to perceive) is very inclusive, you can see with your eyes and/or mind. The question of the scribes could mean they saw Jesus was with the ones who were eating, even though food never passed his lips. Jesus never eats or drinks in any other verse in Mark. He feeds others "spiritual bread" which is a symbol for himself. The text gives the impression that Jesus is eating even though he may not be eating. Are the scribes asking the disciples to confirm if Jesus is really eating with them or is he only joining them at table? The diagram shows Jesus is not reclining. He is standing up, leading the ones on the sides watching the sinners eat. According to what the next verse says and diagram 17a shows, Jesus hears the question. In order for the signs to line up, he can only do this standing up, leading, and ironically, fasting.

2:16a < Verses > 2:16c