Luke 5:32
What does Luke 5:32 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 5:32 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 5:32 means
Jesus plainly states he did not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance. This is a succinct summary of his mission: he seeks to bring the lost to repentance and new life. The contrast is not a celebration of sin but a declaration of purpose—his ministry targets those who recognize their need for change. This verse also rebukes self-righteousness: those who think themselves ‘righteous’ do not see their need for repentance. It announces core gospel logic: grace comes to sinners, and repentance is the appropriate human response.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000I am not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.
KJV
King James Version · 1611I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901I am not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949I have come, not to get the upright, but sinners, so that they may be turned from their sins.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862I came not to call righteous men, but sinners, to reformation.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752I came not to call the just, but sinners to penance.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890I am not come to call righteous [persons], but sinful [ones] to repentance.
Context
This declaration follows the physician analogy and is the central theological claim of the banquet episode. It defends Jesus’ inclusive table fellowship and prepares the religious leaders for further explanation from Jesus about timing and the newness of his movement. The verse encapsulates the reason for Jesus’ association with disreputable people and sets a theme for Luke: Jesus reaches out to the marginalized to bring them into God’s kingdom.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 2:38
And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
- 2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness; but is longsuffering to you-ward, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
- Luke 4:18
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, Because he anointed me to preach good tidings to the poor: He hath sent me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovering of sight to the blind, To set at liberty them that are bruised,
- Acts 3:19
Repent ye therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that so there may come seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord;
- 1 Corinthians 6:9
Or know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with men,
- Matthew 18:10
See that ye despise not one of these little ones: for I say unto you, that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven.
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