Luke 15:1
New International Version
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus.

New Living Translation
Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach.

English Standard Version
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him.

Berean Standard Bible
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were gathering around to listen to Jesus.

Berean Literal Bible
Now all the tax collectors and the sinners were drawing near to Him to hear Him.

King James Bible
Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.

New King James Version
Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him.

New American Standard Bible
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near Jesus to listen to Him.

NASB 1995
Now all the tax collectors and the sinners were coming near Him to listen to Him.

NASB 1977
Now all the tax-gatherers and the sinners were coming near Him to listen to Him.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now all the tax collectors and the sinners were coming near Him to listen to Him.

Amplified Bible
Now all the tax collectors and sinners [including non-observant Jews] were coming near Jesus to listen to Him.

Christian Standard Bible
All the tax collectors and sinners were approaching to listen to him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
All the tax collectors and sinners were approaching to listen to Him.

American Standard Version
Now all the publicans and sinners were drawing near unto him to hear him.

Contemporary English Version
Tax collectors and sinners were all crowding around to listen to Jesus.

English Revised Version
Now all the publicans and sinners were drawing near unto him for to hear him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
All the tax collectors and sinners came to listen to Jesus.

Good News Translation
One day when many tax collectors and other outcasts came to listen to Jesus,

International Standard Version
Now all the tax collectors and sinners kept coming to listen to Jesus.

Majority Standard Bible
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were gathering around to listen to Jesus.

NET Bible
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming to hear him.

New Heart English Bible
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming close to him to hear him.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then drew near to him all the publicans and sinners to hear him.

Weymouth New Testament
Now the tax-gatherers and the notorious sinners were everywhere in the habit of coming close to Him to listen to Him;

World English Bible
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming close to him to hear him.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to Him, to hear Him,

Berean Literal Bible
Now all the tax collectors and the sinners were drawing near to Him to hear Him.

Young's Literal Translation
And all the tax-gatherers and the sinners were coming nigh to him, to hear him,

Smith's Literal Translation
And all publicans and sinful were drawing near him to hear him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
NOW the publicans and sinners drew near unto him to hear him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now tax collectors and sinners were drawing near to him, so that they might listen to him.

New American Bible
The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to him,

New Revised Standard Version
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
THEN the publicans and sinners drew near to him to hear him.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But Tax Collectors and sinners were approaching to hear him.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And all the publicans and the sinners came near to him to hear him.

Godbey New Testament
And all the publicans and sinners were drawing nigh to Him to hear Him.

Haweis New Testament
THEN drew nigh unto him all the tax-farmers and the sinners to hear him.

Mace New Testament
Then many of the Publicans, and people of a bad reputation gather'd about Jesus to hear him;

Weymouth New Testament
Now the tax-gatherers and the notorious sinners were everywhere in the habit of coming close to Him to listen to Him;

Worrell New Testament
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were drawing near to Him to hear Him.

Worsley New Testament
Then drew near unto Him all the publicans and other notorious sinners, to hear Him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Parable of the Lost Sheep
1Now all the tax collectors and sinners were gathering around to listen to Jesus. 2So the Pharisees and scribes began to grumble: “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”…

Cross References
Matthew 9:10-13
Later, as Jesus was dining at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with Him and His disciples. / When the Pharisees saw this, they asked His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” / On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. ...

Mark 2:15-17
While Jesus was dining at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with Him and His disciples—for there were many who followed Him. / When the scribes who were Pharisees saw Jesus eating with these people, they asked His disciples, “Why does He eat with tax collectors and sinners?” / On hearing this, Jesus told them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Matthew 11:19
The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at this glutton and drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is vindicated by her actions.”

Luke 5:29-32
Then Levi hosted a great banquet for Jesus at his house. A large crowd of tax collectors was there, along with others who were eating with them. / But the Pharisees and their scribes complained to Jesus’ disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” / Jesus answered, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. ...

Matthew 21:31-32
Which of the two did the will of his father?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you. / For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

Luke 19:7
And all who saw this began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinful man!”

1 Timothy 1:15
This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst.

Romans 5:8
But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Ezekiel 34:11-16
For this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Behold, I Myself will search for My flock and seek them out. / As a shepherd looks for his scattered sheep when he is among the flock, so I will look for My flock. I will rescue them from all the places to which they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. / I will bring them out from the peoples, gather them from the countries, and bring them into their own land. I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines, and in all the settlements of the land. ...

Isaiah 53:6
We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.

Matthew 18:12-14
What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? / And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices more over that one sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. / In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.

John 9:39-41
Then Jesus declared, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind may see and those who see may become blind.” / Some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard this, and they asked Him, “Are we blind too?” / “If you were blind,” Jesus replied, “you would not be guilty of sin. But since you claim you can see, your guilt remains.”

Luke 7:34
The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at this glutton and drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’

Luke 19:10
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Hosea 6:6
For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.


Treasury of Scripture

Then drew near to him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.

Luke 5:29-32
And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them…

Luke 7:29
And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.

Luke 13:30
And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.

Jump to Previous
Close Collectors Drawing Drew Ear Everywhere Gathering Habit Hear Nigh Notorious Publicans Sinners Tax Tax-Farmers Tax-Gatherers
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Close Collectors Drawing Drew Ear Everywhere Gathering Habit Hear Nigh Notorious Publicans Sinners Tax Tax-Farmers Tax-Gatherers
Luke 15
1. The parable of the lost sheep;
8. of the piece of silver;
11. of the prodigal son.














Now
The word "now" serves as a transitional marker, indicating a shift in the narrative. It connects the preceding events with the current scene, emphasizing the immediacy and relevance of what is about to unfold. In the Greek, "now" is often translated from "δέ" (de), which can also mean "but" or "and," suggesting a continuation or contrast. Here, it sets the stage for a significant moment in Jesus' ministry, highlighting the inclusivity of His message.

all the tax collectors and sinners
This phrase identifies the specific group of people who are drawn to Jesus. Tax collectors, known as "telōnai" in Greek, were often despised by their fellow Jews for collaborating with the Roman authorities and for their reputation of extortion. "Sinners" (Greek: "hamartōloi") refers to those who were considered morally or ritually impure, often marginalized by the religious elite. The inclusion of "all" underscores the comprehensive nature of Jesus' appeal, breaking societal barriers and reaching those deemed unworthy by others.

were gathering around
The Greek verb "ēsan" (were) combined with "eggizontes" (gathering around) conveys a continuous action, suggesting that this was not a one-time event but a recurring phenomenon. The imagery of gathering around implies a sense of community and eagerness, as these individuals sought proximity to Jesus. This reflects the magnetic nature of His teachings and the hope He offered to those on the fringes of society.

to listen to Jesus
Listening, from the Greek "akouein," implies more than just hearing; it suggests an active engagement and a desire to understand and internalize the message. The focus on listening highlights the authority and wisdom of Jesus' words, which transcended social and religious boundaries. In a historical context, rabbis and teachers would often attract followers who would sit at their feet to learn. Here, Jesus assumes the role of the ultimate teacher, offering divine truth and grace to all who would hear.

XV.

(1) Then drew near unto him . . .--Better, and all the publicans and the sinners were drawing near to hear Him. There is not quite the same direct sequence in the Greek as in the English, but what follows comes naturally after the mention of the "multitudes" in Luke 14:25. Publicans and sinners knew that Jesus had turned, as in indignation, from the house of the Pharisee, and this, it may be, gave them courage to approach Him.

Verses 1-32. - The Lord speaks his three parable-stories of the "lost," in which he explains his reason for loving and receiving the sinful. Verses 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 disfavour by the more rigid Jews, often no doubt through their own careless, indifferent character, had little or nothing to do with their religious and orthodox countrymen. Poor wanderers, sinners, thoughtless ones, no one cared for them, their present or their future. Do not these in every age make up the majority? The religious, so often Pharisees in heart, despising them, refusing to make allowances for them, looking on them as hopelessly lost ones. But at no time was this state of things so accentuated as when Jesus lived among men. Now, among such care. less irreligious men and women, are man whose hearts are very tender, very listen if the teacher of religion has Mud, wise words for them. The grave and severe, yet intensely pitiful and loving, doctrines of the Galilaean Master found such. His words were words of stern rebuke, and yet were full of hope, even for the hopeless. No man had ever spoken to them like this Man. Hence the crowds of publicans and sinners who were now ever pressing round the Master. But the teachers of Israel, the priestly order, the learned and rigid scribes, the honoured doctors Of the holy Law, - these were indignant, and on first thoughts not without reason, at the apparent preference felt for and special tenderness shown by Jesus to this great outside class of sinners. The three parables of this fifteenth chapter were the apologia of the Galilaean Master to orthodox Israel, but they appeal to an audience far greater than any enclosed in the coasts of the Holy Land, or living in that restless age,

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Now
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

all
πάντες (pantes)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

the
οἱ (hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

tax collectors
τελῶναι (telōnai)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5057: A publican, collector of taxes. From telos and oneomai; a tax-farmer, i.e. Collector of public revenue.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

sinners
ἁμαρτωλοὶ (hamartōloi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 268: Sinning, sinful, depraved, detestable. From hamartano; sinful, i.e. A sinner.

were
Ἦσαν (Ēsan)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

gathering around
ἐγγίζοντες (engizontes)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1448: Trans: I bring near; intrans: I come near, approach. From eggus; to make near, i.e. approach.

to listen to
ἀκούειν (akouein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 191: To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.

[Jesus].
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.


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NT Gospels: Luke 15:1 Now all the tax collectors and sinners (Luke Lu Lk)
Luke 14:35
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