Devine Scripture

Mark 2:17

What does Mark 2:17 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 2:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 2:17 means

Upon hearing their criticism, Jesus responded by saying, "They that are whole have no need of a physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners." This poignant analogy clarifies His divine mission: He came to minister to those who recognize their spiritual sickness and need for salvation, rather than those who self-righteously believe themselves already whole. This statement directly addresses and refutes the Pharisees' judgmental stance.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And Jesus, hearing it, said to them, Those who are well have no need of a medical man, but those who are ill: I have come not to get the upright but sinners.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Jesus, having heard, saith to them, `They who are strong have no need of a physician, but they who are ill; I came not to call righteous men, but sinners to reformation.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Jesus hearing this, saith to them: They that are well have no need of a physician, but they that are sick. For I came not to call the just, but sinners.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Jesus having heard [it] says to them, They that are strong have not need of a physician, but those who are ill. I have not come to call righteous [men], but sinners.

Context

This verse delivers Jesus' direct and powerful response to the Pharisees' criticism in verse 16. His analogy of the physician and the sick is a foundational statement about His mission to call sinners, directly clarifying His purpose for associating with tax collectors and outcasts. This explanation serves as a concise summary of His ministry's heart and concludes this particular confrontation, immediately leading to inquiries about another religious practice, fasting.

v.16And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with the sinners and publicans, said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?

v.17This passage

v.18And John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting: and they come and say unto him, Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?

Cross references

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

  • Romans 5:6

    For while we were yet weak, in due season Christ died for the ungodly.

  • John 9:40

    Those of the Pharisees who were with him heard these things, and said unto him, Are we also blind?

  • Acts 26:20

    but declared both to them of Damascus first, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judæa, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance.

  • Luke 5:31

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

  • Isaiah 1:18

    Come now, and let us reason together, saith Jehovah: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

  • Luke 15:29

    But he answered and said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, and I never transgressed a commandment of thine; and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:

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