But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus uses a common proverb, but the real sting is in who he's calling "sick." He's not just saying sinners need him; he's subtly pointing out that the Pharisees, by their own self-righteousness, are acting like healthy people who wouldn't bother a doctor, thus missing their desperate need for Him.
But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just been criticized by the Pharisees for eating with tax collectors and sinners. In response, he uses a common proverb to explain his mission: just as healthy people don't need a doctor, only the sick do, Jesus is here for those who recognize their spiritual sickness, not for those who falsely believe themselves to be righteous.
Why did Jesus say the 'well' don't need a doctor? It’s a profound statement about His very purpose and the nature of spiritual healing.
Jesus uses a common proverb to explain His mission. He wasn't hanging out with the Pharisees because they claimed to be healthy. The proverb highlights that a physician's work is with the sick, and Jesus is the ultimate Physician for the soul.
What's more dangerous than being sick? Believing you're healthy when you're actually dying.
Jesus's words carry a sharp warning disguised as a simple proverb. For the self-righteous, like the Pharisees, their perceived spiritual health is their greatest ailment.
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Understand the original words
iatros · Greek Noun
One who practices medicine or healing; metaphorically, it describes Christ's role in diagnosing the spiritual malady of sin and providing the cure of repentance and salvation.
Jesus uses a common proverb to explain his mission: he's here as a spiritual physician for those who recognize their sickness (sin), not for those who believe they are already spiritually healthy.
c. 27-30 AD
Jesus' Galilean Ministry Begins
Jesus begins his public ministry in Galilee, calling disciples and performing miracles. This period sees growing crowds drawn to him but also increasing scrutiny from religious leaders.
c. 28 AD— this verse
Jesus Calls Matthew the Tax Collector
Jesus calls Matthew, a tax collector, to follow him. Tax collectors were widely despised and considered sinners by Jewish society, making this a controversial act.
c. 28 AD
Feast at Matthew's House
Jesus attends a feast hosted by Matthew, accompanied by many tax collectors and other 'sinners.' This event provokes criticism from the Pharisees and scribes.
c. 28 AD
Pharisees Question Jesus' Associations
Pharisees and their scribes observe Jesus eating with tax collectors and sinners and question his disciples, asking why he dines with such people.
This passage uses the exact same proverb, emphasizing that Jesus' ministry is specifically for those who recognize their spiritual sickness and need for healing.
Luke 4:23Jesus quotes a similar proverb, highlighting His own awareness of being a divine physician, and the expectation that His ministry would be directed towards the needy, not those who felt self-sufficient.
1 Corinthians 1:23-24This passage presents Christ as the 'power of God and the wisdom of God,' contrasting Him with the 'wisdom' and 'strength' that humans often rely on, echoing the idea that those who feel 'well' don't need His specific power.
Mark 2:17This parallel account in Mark also records Jesus' response, directly linking His calling of sinners to the purpose of a physician's work with the sick, reinforcing the theme of His mission to the spiritually ailing.
Isaiah 53:4-5This prophetic passage describes the Suffering Servant bearing the 'infirmities' and 'sorrows' of people, directly prefiguring Jesus as the one who comes to heal the sick (sinners) through His own suffering and wounds.
barnesMatthew 9:12: "But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick."
They that be whole ... - Jesus, in reply, said that the whole needed not a physician. Sick persons only needed his aid. A physician would not commonly be found with those that were in health. His proper place was among the sick. So, says he, "If you Pharisees are such as you think yourselves - already pure and holy - you do not need my aid. It would be of no use to you,…
clarkeMatthew 9:12: "But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick."
They that be whole need not a physician - A common proverb, which none could either misunderstand or misapply. Of it the reader may make the following use: - 1. Jesus Christ represents himself here as the sovereign Physician of souls. 2. That all stand in need of his healing power. 3. That men must acknowledge their spiritual maladies, and the need they have of his merc…
Jesus uses a common proverb, but the real sting is in who he's calling "sick." He's not just saying sinners need him; he's subtly pointing out that the Pharisees, by their own self-righteousness, are acting like healthy people who wouldn't bother a doctor, thus missing their desperate need for Him.
Jesus has just been criticized by the Pharisees for eating with tax collectors and sinners. In response, he uses a common proverb to explain his mission: just as healthy people don't need a doctor, only the sick do, Jesus is here for those who recognize their spiritual sickness, not for those who falsely believe themselves to be righteous.
Jesus has just been criticized by the Pharisees for eating with tax collectors and sinners. In response, he uses a common proverb to explain his mission: just as healthy people don't need a doctor, only the sick do, Jesus is here for those who recognize their spiritual sickness, not for those who falsely believe themselves to be righteous.
"But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick." — Jesus uses a common proverb, but the real sting is in who he's calling "sick." He's not just saying sinners need him; he's subtly pointing out that the Pharisees, by their own self-righteousness, a…
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Last reviewed October 2026