Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Luke: Chapter 15].
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15:1 {All the publicans and sinners} (\pantes hoi tel•nai kai hoi
hamart•loi\). The two articles separate the two classes (all the
publicans and the sinners). They are sometimes grouped together
(5:30; Mt 9:11), but not here. The publicans are put on the
same level with the outcasts or sinners. So in verse 2 the
repeated article separates Pharisees and scribes as not quite
one. The use of "all" here may be hyperbole for very many or the
reference may be to these two classes in the particular place
where Jesus was from time to time. {Were drawing near unto him}
(\•san aut•i eggizontes\). Periphrastic imperfect of \eggiz•\,
from \eggus\ (near), late verb. {For to hear} (\akouein\). Just
the present active infinitive of purpose.
15:2 {Both ... and} (\te ... kai\). United in the complaint.
{Murmured} (\diegogguzon\). Imperfect active of \diagogguz•\,
late Greek compound in the LXX and Byzantine writers. In the N.T.
only here and Lu 19:7. The force of \dia\ here is probably
between or among themselves. It spread (imperfect tense) whenever
these two classes came in contact with Jesus. As the publicans
and the sinners were drawing near to Jesus just in that
proportion the Pharisees and the scribes increased their
murmurings. The social breach is here an open yawning chasm.
{This man} (\houtos\). A contemptuous sneer in the use of the
pronoun. They spoke out openly and probably pointed at Jesus.
{Receiveth} (\prosdechetai\). Present middle indicative of the
common verb \prosdechomai\. In 12:36 we had it for expecting,
here it is to give access to oneself, to welcome like
\hupedexato\ of Martha's welcome to Jesus (Lu 10:38). The
charge here is that this is the habit of Jesus. He shows no sense
of social superiority to these outcasts (like the Hindu
"untouchables" in India). {And eateth with them} (\kai sunesthiei
autois\). Associative instrumental case (\autois\) after \sun-\
in composition. This is an old charge (Lu 5:30) and a much more
serious breach from the standpoint of the Pharisees. The
implication is that Jesus prefers these outcasts to the
respectable classes (the Pharisees and the scribes) because he is
like them in character and tastes, even with the harlots. There
was a sting in the charge that he was the "friend" (\philos\) of
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Word Pictures in the New Testament
(Luke: Chapter 15)