ISB ~ Mark 2 v15 - 28

Three controversies between Jesus and the Pharisees. In each, the Pharisees try to discredit Jesus as a spiritual leader (2:16, 18, 24). They consider his behavior questionable and even dangerous, as though Jesus were leading Israel away from true covenant holiness. (1) In 2:15-17, the Pharisees are scandalized by those with whom Jesus eats (tax collectors, sinners). (2) In 2:18-22, they question why he eats with his disciples instead of fasting like John’s followers. (3) In 2:23-28, the issue concerns when his disciples pluck and eat grain (on the Sabbath). These tensions reach the breaking point with the Pharisees’ conspiracy to eliminate Jesus (3:6).