Mark 2:15 Later, He happened to be lying down (or: reclining) in the midst of eating a meal in his : for the parallel account note: probably refers to Levi's; see Lu. house, and many tax collectors (customs, revenue and tribute officials; or: tax contractors) and outcasts (or: sinners; failures; = those who on account of their way of life were shunned not only by Pharisees, but also by Law-abiding, "respectable folks" of the Jewish culture; also, = bad characters, irreligious and disreputable folks, and those who practiced vice and crime) were participating in lying back and eating the meal together with Jesus and His disciples (learners; = pupils of a Rabbi) – for there were many such folks, and they were continuing to follow with Him.

JMNT⁽ⁱ⁾ ¹⁵ Later, He happened to be lying down (or: reclining) in the midst of eating a meal in his [note: probably refers to Levi's; see Lu. 5:29 for the parallel account] house, and many tax collectors (customs, revenue and tribute officials; or: tax contractors) and outcasts (or: sinners; failures; = those who on account of their way of life were shunned not only by Pharisees, but also by Law-abiding, "respectable folks" of the Jewish culture; also, = bad characters, irreligious and disreputable folks, and those who practiced vice and crime) were participating in lying back and eating the meal together with Jesus and His disciples (learners; = pupils of a Rabbi) – for there were many [such] folks, and they were continuing to follow with Him.