Luke 5:31-32

5:31 Jesus 1  answered them, “Those who are well don’t need a physician, but those who are sick do. 2  5:32 I have not come 3  to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” 4 

1 tn Grk “And Jesus.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

2 sn Jesus’ point is that he associates with those who are sick because they have the need and will respond to the offer of help. A person who is well (or who thinks mistakenly that he is) will not seek treatment.

3 sn I have not come is another commission statement by Jesus; see 4:43-44.

4 sn Though parallels exist to this saying (Matt 9:13; Mark 2:17), only Luke has this last phrase but sinners to repentance. Repentance is a frequent topic in Luke’s Gospel: 3:3, 8; 13:1-5; 15:7, 10; 16:30; 17:3-4; 24:47.