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Mark 2:17

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Mark 2:17 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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.
Mark 2:17 — American Standard Version

Context — Mark 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
14And as he passed by, he saw Levi the [son] of Alphaeus sitting at the place of toll, and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.
15And it came to pass, that he was sitting at meat in his house, and many publicans and sinners sat down with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him.
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?
17And 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.
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?
19And Jesus said unto them, Can the sons of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.
20But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then will they fast in that day.
← Mark 2:16Mark 2:18 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“When Jesus heard it, he saith to them, etc..] Christ either overheard what they said to his disciples, or he heard it from the relation of the disciples; and when he did, he turned to the Scribes and Pharisees, and spoke to them the following words: they that are whole, have no need of the physician, but they that are sick; which seems to be a proverbial expression, signifying that he was a physician; that these publicans and sinners were sick persons, and needed his company and assistance; but that they, the Scribes and Pharisees, were whole, and in good health, in their own esteem, and so wanted no relief; and therefore ought not to take it amiss, that he attended the one, and not the…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“See the notes at Matthew 9:12-13. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“I came not to call the righteous - Therefore if these were righteous I should not call them. But now, they are the very persons I came to save. Mark 2:18”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“2:17 Jesus answered his opponents with a well-known proverb, comparing himself to a doctor and sinners to sick people. Salvation is for those who know they are sinners, not those who think they are righteous (Luke 16:15; 18:9; Rom 3:23).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“They that are whole: Mat 9:12, Mat 9:13; Luk 5:31, Luk 5:32, Luk 15:7, Luk 15:29, Luk 16:15; Joh 9:34, Joh 9:40 I came: Isa 1:18, Isa 55:7; Mat 18:11; Luk 15:10, Luk 19:10; Act 20:21, Act 26:20; Rom 5:6-8, Rom 5:20, Rom 5:21; Co1 6:9-11; Ti1 1:15, Ti1 1:16; Tit 2:14, Tit 3:3-7 Mark 2:18”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification