Luke 5:31
New International Version
Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.

New Living Translation
Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.

English Standard Version
And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.

Berean Standard Bible
Jesus answered, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.

Berean Literal Bible
And Jesus answering, said to them, "Those being well have no need of a physician, but those being sick.

King James Bible
And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.

New King James Version
Jesus answered and said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.

New American Standard Bible
And Jesus answered and said to them, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick.

NASB 1995
And Jesus answered and said to them, “It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick.

NASB 1977
And Jesus answered and said to them, “It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick.

Legacy Standard Bible
And Jesus answered and said to them, “It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick.

Amplified Bible
And Jesus replied to them, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but [only] those who are sick.

Christian Standard Bible
Jesus replied to them, “It is not those who are healthy who need a doctor, but those who are sick.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Jesus replied to them, “The healthy don’t need a doctor, but the sick do.

American Standard Version
And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are in health have no need of a physician; but they that are sick.

Contemporary English Version
Jesus answered, "Healthy people don't need a doctor, but sick people do.

English Revised Version
And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole have no need of a physician; but they that are sick.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Jesus answered them, "Healthy people don't need a doctor; those who are sick do.

Good News Translation
Jesus answered them, "People who are well do not need a doctor, but only those who are sick.

International Standard Version
But Jesus answered them, "Healthy people don't need a physician, but sick people do.

Majority Standard Bible
Jesus answered, ?It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.

NET Bible
Jesus answered them, "Those who are well don't need a physician, but those who are sick do.

New Heart English Bible
Jesus answered them, "Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but those who are sick do.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Jesus answering, said to them, They that are well need not a physician; but they that are sick.

Weymouth New Testament
But Jesus replied to them, "It is not men in good health who require a physician, but the sick.

World English Bible
Jesus answered them, “Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but those who are sick do.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Jesus answering said to them, “They who are well have no need of a physician, but they that are ill:

Berean Literal Bible
And Jesus answering, said to them, "Those being well have no need of a physician, but those being sick.

Young's Literal Translation
And Jesus answering said unto them, 'They who are well have no need of a physician, but they that are ill:

Smith's Literal Translation
And Jesus, having answered, said to them, Those being in good health have no need of a physician; but they being ill.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Jesus answering, said to them: They that are whole, need not the physician: but they that are sick.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And responding, Jesus said to them: “It is not those who are well who need a doctor, but those who have maladies.

New American Bible
Jesus said to them in reply, “Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do.

New Revised Standard Version
Jesus answered, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Jesus answered and said to them, A physician is not needed for those who are well, but for those who are seriously sick.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And Yeshua answered and he said to them, “A doctor is not sought for the healthy but for those who have become very ill.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And Jesus answered arid said to them: They that are well have no need of a physician, but they that are sick.

Godbey New Testament
And Jesus responding said to them, They that are whole have not need of a physician, but they that are sick;

Haweis New Testament
And Jesus answering said unto them, They who are well, have no need of a physician: but they who have illness.

Mace New Testament
but Jesus replied, they that are in health don't want a physician: but they that are sick.

Weymouth New Testament
But Jesus replied to them, "It is not men in good health who require a physician, but the sick.

Worrell New Testament
And Jesus, answering, said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.

Worsley New Testament
And Jesus answered and said unto them, They that are in health have no need of a physician, but they that are sick: I am not come to call the righteous,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Calling of Levi
30But the Pharisees and their scribes complained to Jesus’ disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” 31 Jesus answered, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 32I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”…

Cross References
Matthew 9:12
On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.

Mark 2:17
On hearing this, Jesus told them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

1 Timothy 1:15
This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst.

Ezekiel 34:16
I will seek the lost, bring back the strays, bind up the broken, and strengthen the weak; but the sleek and strong I will destroy. I will shepherd them with justice.’

Hosea 6:1
Come, let us return to the LORD. For He has torn us to pieces, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bind up our wounds.

Isaiah 61:1
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners,

Jeremiah 30:17
But I will restore your health and heal your wounds, declares the LORD, because they call you an outcast, Zion, for whom no one cares.”

Psalm 147:3
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Matthew 11:28-30
Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. / Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. / For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

John 9:39-41
Then Jesus declared, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind may see and those who see may become blind.” / Some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard this, and they asked Him, “Are we blind too?” / “If you were blind,” Jesus replied, “you would not be guilty of sin. But since you claim you can see, your guilt remains.”

Romans 5:6-8
For at just the right time, while we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. / Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. / But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

1 Corinthians 1:26-29
Brothers, consider the time of your calling: Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were powerful; not many were of noble birth. / But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. / He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are, ...

Isaiah 53:4-5
Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows; yet we considered Him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. / But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.

Jeremiah 17:14
Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed; save me, and I will be saved, for You are my praise.

Psalm 103:3
He who forgives all your iniquities and heals all your diseases,


Treasury of Scripture

And Jesus answering said to them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.

They that.

Jeremiah 8:22
Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?

Matthew 9:12,13
But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick…

Mark 2:17
When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

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Disciples Doctor Drinking Eating Health Healthy Ill Jesus Led Medical Need Notorious Party Pharisees Physician Scribes Sick Sinners Sound Tax-Gatherers Whole
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Luke 5
1. Jesus teaches the people out of Peter's ship;
4. shows how he will make them fishers of men;
12. cleanses the leper;
16. prays in the desert;
17. heals a paralytic;
27. calls Matthew the tax collector;
29. eats with sinners, as being the physician of souls;
33. foretells the fasting and afflictions of the apostles after his ascension;
36. and illustrates the matter by the parable of patches.














Jesus answered
The phrase "Jesus answered" indicates a direct response from Christ, showcasing His role as a teacher and authority. In the Greek, "ἀποκριθεὶς" (apokritheis) is used, which implies a thoughtful and deliberate response. This highlights Jesus' wisdom and His ability to address the concerns and criticisms of the Pharisees with clarity and purpose. His answers often reveal deeper spiritual truths, inviting listeners to reflect on their own understanding and beliefs.

It is not the healthy
The term "healthy" in Greek is "ὑγιαίνοντες" (hygiainontes), which refers to those who are physically well or sound. In a spiritual context, it represents those who perceive themselves as righteous or without need of spiritual healing. Jesus uses this term to challenge the self-righteousness of the Pharisees, who believed they were spiritually "healthy" and thus did not recognize their own need for repentance and transformation.

who need a doctor
The word "doctor" in Greek is "ἰατρός" (iatros), meaning a healer or physician. This metaphorical use of "doctor" emphasizes Jesus' role as the Great Physician, who comes to heal not just physical ailments but the deeper spiritual sickness of sin. The imagery of a doctor is powerful, as it conveys the necessity of seeking help and the humility required to admit one's need for healing.

but the sick
The term "sick" in Greek is "κακῶς ἔχοντες" (kakōs echontes), which literally means those who are ill or in a bad condition. This phrase underscores the reality of human brokenness and the universal need for redemption. Jesus' mission is to reach out to those who are aware of their spiritual sickness, offering them hope and restoration. The "sick" are those who recognize their need for a Savior, contrasting with the self-sufficient attitude of the Pharisees.

(31) They that are whole.--Better, they that are in health. Note, as once more characteristic of the "physician," the use of this term instead of "they that are strong," the strict meaning of the Greek word used in the other two Gospels. (See Introduction.)

Verses 31, 32. - And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. This was one of those sayings of the Lord which sank very deep into the hearts of the hearers. All the three, Matthew, Mark, and Luke, repeat it with very slight variations; it was evidently a favourite theme with the great first teachers who followed Christ. It has borne rich fruit in the Master's Church; for this vindication of Jesus of his conduct in going so often into the society of the moral waifs and strays of the population has been the real "foundation of all those philanthropic movements which enlist the upper classes of society in the blessed work of bending down to meet in love the lower classes, so that the snapped circle of humanity may be restored; it is the philosophy in a nutshell of all home and missionary operations" (Dr. Morrison, on Mark 2:17).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Jesus
Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.

answered,
ἀποκριθεὶς (apokritheis)
Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 611: From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak.

“[It is] not
Οὐ (Ou)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

the
οἱ (hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

healthy
ὑγιαίνοντες (hygiainontes)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5198: From hugies; to have sound health, i.e. Be well; figuratively, to be uncorrupt.

[who]
ἔχουσιν (echousin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

need
χρείαν (chreian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5532: From the base of chraomai or chre; employment, i.e. An affair; also occasion, demand, requirement or destitution.

a doctor,
ἰατροῦ (iatrou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2395: A physician. From iaomai; a physician.

but
ἀλλὰ (alla)
Conjunction
Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

the
οἱ (hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

sick.
κακῶς (kakōs)
Adverb
Strong's 2560: Badly, evilly, wrongly. From kakos; badly.


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NT Gospels: Luke 5:31 Jesus answered them Those who are healthy (Luke Lu Lk)
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