Luke 5:31
What does Luke 5:31 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 5:31 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 5:31 means
Jesus answers that those who are well need no physician, but those who are sick do. He applies a common analogy: religious leaders think in terms of purity, but Jesus sees spiritual need. He portrays sinners as patients needing care, not as men beyond help. The statement reframes his associations: eating with sinners is like a physician treating the ill. The implication is pointed: Jesus’ presence among outcasts is intentional, aimed at healing and restoration, not social approval of sin. It underscores pastoral compassion as central to his ministry.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are in health have no need of a physician; but they that are sick.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are in health have no need of a physician; but they that are sick.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And Jesus, answering, said to them, Those who are well have no need of a medical man, but those who are ill.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Jesus answering said unto them, `They who are well have no need of a physician, but they that are ill:
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And Jesus answering, said to them: They that are whole need not the physician: but they that are sick.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And Jesus answering said to them, They that are in sound health have not need of a physician, but those that are ill.
Context
This reply directly addresses the Pharisees’ complaint about table fellowship and precedes his blunt summary of mission—‘I am not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.’ The verse turns the moral accusation into a pastoral claim: Jesus’ actions have therapeutic intent. Readers should see how Jesus reframes his behavior from scandalous fraternizing to purposeful ministry to the needy.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 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?
- Mark 2:17
And when Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of a physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.
- Matthew 9:12
But when he heard it, he said, They that are whole have no need of a physician, but they that are sick.
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