Luke 5:31

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Luke 5:31 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are in health have no need of a physician; but they that are sick.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are in health have no need of a physician; but they that are sick.
Luke 5:31 — American Standard Version

Context — Luke 5

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
31And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are in health have no need of a physician; but they that are sick.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And Jesus answering, said unto them, etc.] Knowing that they aimed at him; though, according to this evangelist, they only mentioned his disciples, however, he takes up the cause, and vindicates both himself and them, by observing to them the following proverb; they that are whole need not a physician, but they that are sick: suggesting hereby, that as such who are in good health, who are free from all diseases, wounds, bruises, and putrefying sores, stand in no need of the advice and assistance of a physician, or surgeon, but such who have either distempers or sores on their bodies; so they, the Scribes and Pharisees, who, in their own opinion, were free from the disease of sin, original…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“See the notes at Matthew 9:9-13. Luke 5:29 Made him a great feast - This circumstance “Matthew,” or “Levi” as he is here called, has omitted in his own gospel. This fact shows how little inclined the evangelists are to say anything in favor of themselves or to praise themselves. True religion does not seek to commend itself, or to speak of what it does, even when it is done for the Son of God. It seeks retirement; it delights rather in the consciousness of doing well than in its being known; and it leaves its good deeds to be spoken of, if spoken of at all, by others. This is agreeable to the direction of Solomon Proverbs 27:2; “Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth.” This…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“5:31-32 Jesus responded that, like a doctor, his mission was to work with sick people, not the healthy. Jesus was not called to minister to self-righteous people, but to those who recognized their spiritual need for God’s grace and healing.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“They that: Jer 8:22; Mat 9:12, Mat 9:13; Mar 2:17 Luke 5:32”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification