Devine Scripture

Luke 5:30

What does Luke 5:30 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 5:30 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 5:30 means

The Pharisees and scribes complain to Jesus’ disciples, asking why they eat and drink with publicans and sinners. Their murmuring reveals moral judgment and exclusivity: table fellowship communicates acceptance, and the religious leaders object to Jesus’ apparent tolerance of disreputable company. The question exposes a misunderstanding of mission: they assume association equals approval without seeing the goal of repentance. Their complaint sets the stage for Jesus’ defense, where he explains that his coming is precisely to reach the sick—those aware of their need—rather than the self-satisfied righteous.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And the Pharisees and their scribes murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with the publicans and sinners?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And the Pharisees and their scribes murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with the publicans and sinners?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the Pharisees and their scribes made protests against his disciples, saying, Why do you take food and drink with tax-farmers and sinners?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and the scribes and the Pharisees among them were murmuring at his disciples, saying, `Wherefore with tax-gatherers and sinners do ye eat and drink?'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying to his disciples: Why do you eat and drink with publicans and sinners?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And their scribes and the Pharisees murmured at his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with tax-gatherers and sinners?

Context

This complaint follows the banquet and introduces a controversy that will allow Jesus to clarify his mission. The Pharisees’ question frames the conflict between religious separateness and Jesus’ inclusive ministry. What follows is Jesus’ famous reply in verses 31–32, where he uses the physician metaphor and states his purpose to call sinners to repentance, reframing table fellowship as a means of grace rather than endorsement.

v.29And Levi made him a great feast in his house: and there was a great multitude of publicans and of others that were sitting at meat with them.

v.30This passage

v.31And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are in health have no need of a physician; but they that are sick.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Luke 18:11

    The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

  • Luke 19:7

    And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, He is gone in to lodge with a man that is a sinner.

  • Luke 15:1

    Now all the publicans and sinners were drawing near unto him to hear him.

  • Mark 7:3

    (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands diligently, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders;

  • Luke 5:21

    And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this that speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?

  • Isaiah 65:5

    that say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me, for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.

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