The Use of the Word "Sinner"

This is so good it deserves a section all its own

Concerning the use of the word “sinner”: It is an English translation of the NT Greek word hamartolos.

Do you really want to know? Do you really want to know how many times Jesus used the word “sinner”? You’re not going to like it.

Here goes:

Jesus responds to religious leaders who criticize him for hanging out with “sinners”. He responds by using their word “sinners” to say that He was called to minister to “sinners” (recorded three times but only one historical incident [in Mat 9:13; 11:19; Mar 2:17; Lk 5:32]).

Jesus uses the term “sinner” four times to again respond to the criticisms of the religious leaders criticize him for hanging out with “sinners”. He responds by using their word “sinners” (in Lk 7:34; 13:2; 15:7, 10; 18:13).

Jesus uses the word “sinner” three times (in Lk 6:32ff.) to tell his disciples to avoid false prophets who do not love for even “sinners” love.

Jesus uses the word to describe the unloving religious leaders who are coming to arrest Him. These are the religious leaders who were criticizing him for hanging out with “sinners” (recorded three times but only one historical incident [in Mat 26:45; Mark 14:41; Lk 24:7]).

Lastly, Jesus refers to His generation as a “sinner generation” (Mark 8:38). This is the generation of unloving religious leaders who criticized him for hanging out with “sinners” and who came to arrest Jesus.

There you have it: TEN TIMES. Jesus used the term “sinner” 10 times. He only used the word on five occasions.