07_Biblica_2_AM_B_Kilgallen_Layout 1 30/01/13 13:17 Pagina 593 593 WAS JESUS RIGHT TO EAT WITH SINNERS AND TAX COLLECTORS? association with evil will inevitably make one evil. Moreover, what is the right way to bring a sinner to his senses? By fraternizing with him, and thus dulling in him criticism of his sinfulness, or segregation, which be- comes a clear, silent statement of reproach by the community with the hope of embarrassment, or its like, and repentance? However Luke’s reader answers these questions about Jesus’ conduct and remarks in this very brief story, it is equally clear that Jesus does not explain why he has chosen socialization with sinners as the proper means to their repentance; Luke’s concern is to show explicitly that Jesus’ goal is nothing less than the fulfillment of the divine command that he call sin- ners to repentance 9. Thus, though one might ask the text why Jesus chose as his means a controversial practice such as eating with sinners and re- ceive no clear answer, one does know he is putting to the text a question that the text was not constructed to answer. We conclude: it is clear that we are given a reason why Jesus eats with sinners and tax collectors, but is his method to bring about repentance successful? Did repentance result from his fraternization with sinners? One might argue that logic assures us of the repentance of Levi, or one might argue that as the patient is cured only in the presence of the physi- cian, so sinners are cured when Jesus is actually present with them. How- ever, the value of Jesus’ fraternization with sinners is not explicitly expressed; the passage is not interested in affirming the profit of Jesus’ method and so we must look elsewhere in his public life to be satisfied. II. Jesus and the People of this Generation (chap. 7) In chap. 7 Luke again brings up the subject of Jesus’ association with sinners with the description: “Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners” (7,34). This statement, which describes the opinion of the “people of this generation”, comes at the end of a discourse which appeared directed elsewhere. Jesus had been asked if he was “the one to come”, or not; as answer he pointed to the works he performed, works which Luke associated appositely with the prophetic words of Isa- iah, presumably about “the one who is to come”. After this answer, Jesus presents his understanding of the meaning of John the Baptist: a prophet, more than a prophet; indeed, “my messenger in front of you to prepare your way before you” (7,27). To this astounding revelation Jesus feels “To appreciate the behavior of those under Jesus’ sway involves seeing 9 sinners as needy and able to be helped, rather than as contaminating and de- serving to be spurned”, J. NOLLAND, Luke 1-9:20 (WBC 35a; Dallas, TX 1989) 246. © Gregorian Biblical Press 2012 - Tutti i diritti riservati