Luke 5:31 - Printer Friendly

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

NIV: Jesus answered them, 'It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.

NASB: And Jesus answered and said to them, 'It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick.

CSB: Jesus replied to them, "It is not those who are healthy who need a doctor, but those who are sick.

NLT: Jesus answered them, 'Healthy people don’t need a doctor — sick people do.

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

NKJV: Jesus answered and said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.

Jesus is explaining to the Pharisees and scribes why He feasted with a group of cultural outcasts and "sinners." He hasn't come for those who believe themselves sinless. He can't heal proud religious leaders who don't think they need God's forgiveness. He has come for those aware enough to know they are sinners and humble enough to repent—like Peter (Luke 5:8).

Peter may have been present at this feast—the text isn't clear if all Jesus' disciples were—but he doesn't immediately get the point that Jesus has come for everybody. Years after Jesus ascends to heaven and Peter becomes a significant church leader, God will go to great lengths to convince him to visit the home of a godly Gentile (Acts 10). When he visits Syrian Antioch, Peter eats with Gentiles until legalistic Jews from Jerusalem arrive and shame him (Galatians 2:11–14). Peter eventually learns to accept Gentiles (Acts 15) and welcomes them as part of the church (1 Peter 2:10). If Peter takes so long to understand following Jesus means breaking tradition and associating with people with varied social standings, the Pharisees' initial interpretation of Jesus' actions as improper is understandable.

A "physician" is someone who cures physical ailments. For a physician to concentrate on healthy people, ignoring those with ailments, is foolish. It's especially unwise when the sick are plentiful and willing to be healed. As with the paralyzed man (Luke 5:23–24), Jesus is using physical healing as a metaphor for spiritual healing. His words here might be a cultural proverb of that era.

It's important for local churches to embody Jesus' statement. We should expect and welcome "sinners" into our congregations. Hospitals and churches are both meant as places people can come with their problems, seeking comfort and relief. A hospital is of little use without those willing to accept that they are sick.

Luke 5:29–32 records the Pharisees' criticism of Jesus' choice to eat with those society deemed immoral. It is the first of four altercations between Jesus and the Pharisees and their scribes: two regarding unseemly celebrations and two in tension with the scribes' extra-biblical regulations for the Sabbath (Luke 5:33—6:11). These four incidents come between Jesus' call of Levi, the tax-collector, and His call of the remaining disciples. The story of Jesus eating with sinners is also found in Matthew 9:10–13 and Mark 2:15–17.

Luke 5 continues Jesus' Galilean Ministry (Luke 4:14—9:50). The passage alternates calls to discipleship with miracles and teachings which demonstrate what discipleship entails. Jesus calls Peter, Andrew, and their business partners, James and John, to follow Him and make more disciples. Then Jesus makes a man with leprosy ceremonially clean. He forgives the sins of a paralytic. After He calls Levi to follow Him, Jesus celebrates instead of fasting. This draws critical questions from the crowd. The religious leaders consider Jesus' actions blasphemous. His message of forgiveness, faith, and repentance cannot be contained by their tradition.

Jesus has already proved He can expel demons, heal ailments, and reveal the kingdom of God (Luke 4:31–44). In this chapter, He begins to separate His followers from His detractors. This begins with calling the first five disciples and emphasizing faith and repentance over religious tradition. He will drive home the point by treating the Sabbath as a blessing rather than a burden (Luke 6:1–11). After formally inviting the Twelve to follow Him, Jesus will explain to a crowd what discipleship looks like and invite them to build their lives on Him (Luke 6:12–49). In chapter 7, Jesus champions Gentiles and the marginalized.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.