Thematic Bible: Association with publicans and sinners

When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples: "Why does your Teacher eat in the company of tax-gatherers and outcasts?" On hearing this, Jesus said: "It is not those who are in health that need a doctor, but those who are ill. Go and learn what this means--'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice'; for I did not come to call the religious, but the outcast."