Matthew 9:12
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
But when Jesus heard that, he said to them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
American King James Version (AKJV)
But when Jesus heard that, he said to them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
American Standard Version (ASV)
But when he heard it, he said, They that are whole have no need of a physician, but they that are sick.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
But on hearing this he said, Those who are well have no need of a medical man, but those who are ill.
Webster's Revision
But when Jesus heard that, he said to them, They that are in health need not a physician, but they that are sick.
World English Bible
When Jesus heard it, he said to them, "Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but those who are sick do.
English Revised Version (ERV)
But when he heard it, he said, They that are whole have no need of a physician, but they that are sick.
Clarke's Matthew 9:12 Bible Commentary
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 mercy, in order to be healed by him.
4. That it is the most inveterate and dangerous disease the soul can be afflicted with to imagine itself whole, when the sting of death, which is sin, has pierced it through in every part, infusing its poison every where.
Barnes's Matthew 9:12 Bible Commentary
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, and you would not thank me for it. With those persons who feel that they are sinners I may be useful, and there is my proper place." Or the expression may mean, "I came on purpose to save sinners: my business is with them. There are none righteous; and as a physician is in his proper place with the "sick," so am I with guilty and miserable sinners."
