Discovery BoxLuke 5:29-32 
Context5:29 Then 1 Levi gave a great banquet 2 in his house for Jesus, 3 and there was a large crowd of tax collectors and others sitting 4 at the table with them. 5:30 But 5 the Pharisees 6 and their experts in the law 7 complained 8 to his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” 9 5:31 Jesus 10 answered them, “Those who are well don’t need a physician, but those who are sick do. 11 5:32 I have not come 12 to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” 13
1 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
2 sn A great banquet refers to an elaborate meal. Many of the events in Luke take place in the context of meal fellowship: 7:36-50; 9:12-17; 10:38-42; 11:37-54; 14:1-24; 22:7-38; 24:29-32, 41-43.
3 tn Grk “him”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
4 tn Grk “reclining.” This term reflects the normal practice in 1st century Jewish culture of eating a meal in a semi-reclining position. Since it is foreign to most modern readers, the translation “sitting” has been substituted.
5 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the implied contrast present in this context.
6 sn See the note on Pharisees in 5:17.
7 tn Or “and their scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 5:21.
8 tn Or “grumbled”; a term often used in the OT for inappropriate grumbling: Exod 15:24; 16:7-8; Num 14:2, 26-35; 16:11.
9 sn The issue here is inappropriate associations (eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners) and the accusation comes not against Jesus, but his disciples.
10 tn Grk “And Jesus.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
11 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.
12 sn I have not come is another commission statement by Jesus; see 4:43-44.
13 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.
