Luke 15:1

Then drew near. [The Lost Sheep, Luke 15:1-7. Cf. on Matt. 18:12-14; John 10:1-18. On parables see pp. 203-207.] Except for the position of the parables of this chapter in the Gospel of Luke there is no indication of either the time or location in which they were given. Chapters 9:51 to 19:28 record events connected with the Peraean ministry (see on Luke 9:51; Matt. 19:1, 2), probably from the late autumn of A.D. 30 to the early spring of A.D. 31. Apparently at least the first two parables of ch. 15, and possibly the third as well, were given upon one occasion (COL 192) in the pasture lands of Peraea (COL 186). It was now about two months before the crucifixion (see on Matt. 19:1, 2; Luke 10:25; 11:37; 12:1). In these parables Jesus set forth the meaning of that event.

All the publicans and sinners. Literally, “all the publicans and the sinners,” considering the two classes as distinct each from the other. Sometimes they are considered as one group (see on ch. 5:30). Concerning the publicans, or tax collectors, see on ch. 3:12. The “sinners” probably included men and women who made no pretense of seeking righteousness along the lines prescribed by rabbinical tradition, in addition to harlots, adulterers, and others whose lives were in open violation of the law. Strict Pharisees also considered the common people, the ‘amme ha’ares (literally, “the people of the land”), who had not enjoyed the privileges of a rabbinical education, as “sinners” and beyond the pale of respectability. The very name Pharisee (see p. 51) designated the members of this party as superior to the common herd, and presumably more righteous than people generally.

The word “all” may refer to the fact that wherever Jesus went during this part of His ministry the “publicans” and “sinners” of the region flocked to hear Him. This evidence of interest angered the scribes and Pharisees still further, for they held these classes in contempt, and were in turn shunned by them. It irritated the religious leaders that Jesus should treat these despised outcasts of society with friendliness (see on Mark 2:15-17), and that they in turn responded (see COL 186).