{All the publicans and sinners} (pantes hoi tel(936e)ai kai hoi
hamart(936c)oi). The two articles separate the two classes (all the
publicans and the sinners). They are sometimes grouped together
( 5:30  Mt 9:11 ), but not here. The publicans are put on the
same level with the outcasts or sinners. So in verse  2  the
repeated article separates Pharisees and scribes as not quite
one. The use of "all" here may be hyperbole for very many or the
reference may be to these two classes in the particular place
where Jesus was from time to time. {Were drawing near unto him}
((8873)an aut(9369) eggizontes). Periphrastic imperfect of eggiz(935c),
from eggus (near), late verb. {For to hear} (akouein). Just
the present active infinitive of purpose.