The Pharisees would not consider that Jesus was eating with publicans and sinners in order to bring the light of heaven to those who sat in darkness. They would not see that every word dropped by the divine Teacher was a living seed that would germinate and bear fruit to the glory of God. They had determined not to accept the light; and although they had opposed the mission of the Baptist, they were now ready to court the friendship of his disciples, hoping to secure their co-operation against Jesus. They represented that Jesus was setting at nought the ancient traditions; and they contrasted the austere piety of the Baptist with the course of Jesus in feasting with publicans and sinners.

Farisæerne ville ikke tænke sig, at Jesus spiste sammen med toldere og syndere for at kunne bringe Himmelens lys til dem, som sad i mørket. De ville ikke se, at hvert ord, der lød fra den guddommelige lærer, var et levende sædekorn, som ville spire og bære frugt til Guds ære. De havde besluttet ikke at tage imod lyset; og skønt de havde modarbejdet Døberens gerning, så var de nu parat til at dyrke hans disciples venskab i håb om at sikre sig deres medvirken mod Jesus. De hævdede, at Jesus ringeagtede de gamle overleveringer, og de fremhævede Døberens strenge fromhed i modsætning til Jesus, som sad til bords med toldere og syndere.