Matthew 9:12

KJV

But when Jesus heard [that], he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} when Jesus {G2424} heard {G191} that, he said {G2036} unto them {G846}, They that be {G2192} whole {G2480} need {G5532} not {G3756} a physician {G2395}, but {G235} they that are {G2192} sick {G2560}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But Yeshua heard the question and answered, "The ones who need a doctor aren't the healthy but the sick.

Berean Standard Bible

On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.

American Standard Version

But when he heard it, he said, They that are whole have no need of a physician, but they that are sick.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 9:12 captures Jesus' profound response to the Pharisees' criticism regarding His association with tax collectors and "sinners," articulating the core purpose of His ministry. Through a potent medical analogy, Jesus declares that His mission is to extend spiritual healing and salvation to those who humbly acknowledge their deep need for divine intervention, rather than to those who, in their self-perceived righteousness, believe themselves to be spiritually sound and therefore beyond the need of a Savior.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a direct and pivotal response within a narrative sequence that highlights Jesus' radical inclusivity and compassionate mission. Immediately preceding this, [Matthew 9:9-11](/matthew/9-9-11 "Matthew Calls Levi, Eats with Sinners") recounts Jesus' calling of Matthew (Levi), a tax collector, to be His disciple. Following this call, Jesus dines at Matthew's house, a gathering attended by many other tax collectors and "sinners"—individuals considered social outcasts and morally impure by the religious elite. The Pharisees, observing this controversial association, question Jesus' disciples, asking, "Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" Jesus' statement in [Matthew 9:12](/matthew/9-12 "Jesus' Response to the Pharisees") directly addresses this challenge, setting the stage for His further explanation in [Matthew 9:13](/matthew/9-13 "Jesus Explains His Mission with Hosea 6:6"). This entire passage underscores a fundamental clash between Jesus' kingdom values and the rigid legalism of the Pharisees.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Judea was marked by significant social and religious stratification. The Pharisees were a prominent Jewish sect known for their zealous adherence to the Mosaic Law and a vast body of oral traditions, which they believed ensured ritual purity and spiritual righteousness. Tax collectors, like Matthew, were reviled by their Jewish compatriots for collaborating with the Roman occupiers and for often extorting money beyond what was legally required. They were considered traitors and ritually unclean, placing them beyond the pale of respectable society. "Sinners" was a broad term encompassing those who did not adhere to Pharisaic interpretations of the law, including prostitutes, common laborers, and those deemed morally corrupt. For a respected teacher to associate with such individuals was scandalous, violating deeply ingrained social and religious norms concerning purity and separation. Jesus' actions and words challenged the very foundations of this societal and religious hierarchy.
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 9:12 profoundly contributes to several overarching themes in the Gospel of Matthew and the broader biblical narrative. It directly addresses **The Purpose of Jesus' Ministry**, clarifying that He came not for the self-sufficient but for the spiritually destitute, functioning as a divine physician for the soul. This highlights the theme of **Spiritual Sickness vs. Self-Righteousness**, contrasting those who recognize their need for grace with those who, like the Pharisees, are blinded by their own perceived righteousness and thus reject the Savior. Furthermore, this verse powerfully illustrates **God's Mercy and Compassion** for the marginalized and the lost, a theme consistently demonstrated by Jesus' interactions throughout the Gospels. His willingness to cross social and religious boundaries to reach the "sick" foreshadows the expansive nature of the Gospel message. This emphasis on mercy over ritualistic sacrifice is further reinforced by Jesus' quotation of [Hosea 6:6](/hosea/6-6 "God Desires Mercy, Not Sacrifice") in [Matthew 9:13](/matthew/9-13 "Jesus Quotes Hosea 6:6").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **whole (Greek, _ischýō'_):** From G2480, meaning "to have (or exercise) force (literally or figuratively); to be able, avail, can do, could, be good, might, prevail, be of strength, be whole, + much work." In this context, it refers to those who perceive themselves as spiritually strong, healthy, and self-sufficient, believing they have no need for external spiritual help or healing.
* **physician (Greek, _iatrós'_):** From G2395, meaning "a physician." Jesus explicitly identifies Himself with this role, presenting Himself as the one uniquely qualified to diagnose and cure the spiritual ailments of humanity, offering salvation and restoration.
* **sick (Greek, _kakōs'_):** From G2560, meaning "badly (physically or morally); amiss, diseased, evil, grievously, miserably, sick, sore." While it can refer to physical illness, in this spiritual analogy, it clearly denotes those who are spiritually broken, morally corrupt, or suffering from the debilitating effects of sin, recognizing their dire need for healing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But when Jesus heard [that], he said unto them":** This opening clause highlights Jesus' immediate and direct engagement with the Pharisees' criticism. The "that" refers to their questioning of His disciples about His association with tax collectors and sinners. Jesus does not allow His disciples to bear the brunt of the challenge but steps forward to articulate the profound theological basis for His actions, demonstrating His authority and clarity of purpose.
* **"They that be whole need not a physician":** This is the first part of Jesus' analogy, presenting a self-evident truth in the physical realm. Those who are healthy and perceive themselves as such have no need for a doctor. Spiritually, this refers to the self-righteous, like the Pharisees, who believe they are morally sound and perfectly aligned with God's law, thus seeing no personal need for repentance or the transformative grace offered by Jesus. Their self-sufficiency blinds them to their true spiritual condition.
* **"but they that are sick.":** This is the crucial contrasting statement, completing the analogy. Just as a physician is needed by the physically ill, Jesus, the divine Physician, is needed by those who are spiritually "sick." This refers to individuals who recognize their sinfulness, their spiritual brokenness, and their desperate need for God's mercy and healing. These are the "tax collectors and sinners" with whom Jesus willingly associates, precisely because they are open to receiving the spiritual remedy He offers.

#### Literary Devices
Jesus' statement in [Matthew 9:12](/matthew/9-12 "Jesus' Analogy of the Physician") is a masterful use of **Analogy** (or **Metaphor**). He compares His spiritual mission to the common and universally understood role of a physician. The "whole" represent those who are self-righteous and spiritually blind, while the "sick" represent those who acknowledge their sinfulness and need for salvation. This analogy makes His radical approach to ministry accessible and logically compelling. There is also an element of **Irony**, as the Pharisees, who outwardly appeared "whole" and righteous, were in fact spiritually "sick" due to their pride and legalism, while the "sinners" they despised were, in their humility and recognition of their need, spiritually receptive to healing. This highlights a profound spiritual truth: true spiritual health begins with the acknowledgment of one's spiritual illness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 9:12 profoundly redefines the nature of God's kingdom and the scope of His grace. It dismantles the prevailing notion that God's favor is reserved for the outwardly righteous and pure, instead revealing a God who actively seeks out and embraces the broken and the lost. Jesus, as the divine Physician, embodies God's radical compassion and willingness to engage with humanity's deepest spiritual ailments. This verse establishes that the prerequisite for receiving God's healing is not self-perceived perfection, but humble recognition of one's spiritual sickness and desperate need for a Savior. It shifts the focus from human merit to divine mercy, laying the groundwork for the Gospel's universal invitation to repentance and faith.

* [Mark 2:17](/mark/2-17 "Jesus Calls Sinners") - "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."
* [Luke 5:31-32](/luke/5-31-32 "Jesus Explains His Mission") - "And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
* [1 Timothy 1:15](/1_timothy/1-15 "Christ Jesus Came to Save Sinners") - "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 9:12 serves as a powerful mirror for self-reflection, challenging us to honestly assess our own spiritual condition. Do we, like the Pharisees, harbor a subtle self-righteousness that prevents us from fully embracing our need for Jesus' ongoing grace and healing? Or do we, with humility, acknowledge our spiritual "sickness"—our inherent sinfulness, brokenness, and constant dependence on God's mercy? This verse reminds us that true spiritual health begins not with a declaration of our own goodness, but with a humble confession of our need for the Divine Physician. For believers, it is a call to continuous repentance and reliance on Christ. For the church, it is a foundational principle for mission and outreach: our primary calling is to extend compassion and the message of salvation to those who are spiritually lost and hurting, rather than to remain in exclusive fellowship with those who already perceive themselves as "whole." Our mission, like Christ's, is to seek and save the lost, embodying His radical love and transformative power to a world desperately in need of healing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be subtly acting as if I am "whole" and therefore not in need of Jesus' ongoing healing or guidance?**
* **How does my understanding of my own spiritual "sickness" (sinfulness and need for grace) impact my compassion for others who are clearly struggling?**
* **How can my church community better embody Jesus' mission to reach out to those considered "sick" or marginalized by society, rather than primarily ministering to those who are already "whole" within our walls?**

### FAQ
**What does Jesus mean by "whole" and "sick" in this verse?**

Answer: In [Matthew 9:12](/matthew/9-12 "Jesus' Analogy of the Physician"), Jesus uses a medical analogy to explain His spiritual mission. By "whole" (Greek: _ischýontes_), He refers to those who are self-righteous and spiritually complacent, believing they are morally sound and have no need for repentance or a Savior. These individuals, often represented by the Pharisees, are blind to their true spiritual condition. By "sick" (Greek: _kakōs échontes_), Jesus refers to those who are spiritually broken, burdened by sin, and recognize their desperate need for God's mercy and healing. These are the "tax collectors and sinners" whom Jesus came to save, as they are receptive to the spiritual "cure" He offers.

**Why was Jesus associating with tax collectors and "sinners," and why did the Pharisees object?**

Answer: Jesus associated with tax collectors and "sinners" because His mission was to bring salvation and healing to those who were marginalized, outcast, and recognized their need for God's grace. Tax collectors were despised by Jews for their collaboration with Rome and perceived corruption, while "sinners" were those who did not adhere to the strict religious and social codes of the time. The Pharisees objected because their understanding of righteousness emphasized ritual purity, separation from "unclean" people, and adherence to the Law. For them, Jesus' association with such individuals was a scandalous violation of religious norms, suggesting He was either condoning their sin or becoming defiled Himself. Jesus' actions, however, demonstrated a higher priority: God's compassion for the lost, as He would further explain in [Matthew 9:13](/matthew/9-13 "Jesus Quotes Hosea 6:6") by quoting [Hosea 6:6](/hosea/6-6 "God Desires Mercy, Not Sacrifice").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 9:12 powerfully foreshadows the full scope of Christ's redemptive work, revealing Him as the ultimate Divine Physician. His declaration that He came for the "sick" and not the "whole" is a foundational truth of the Gospel, setting the stage for His atoning sacrifice. The "sickness" Jesus addresses is the pervasive spiritual illness of sin, which has infected all humanity since the Fall, rendering us spiritually dead and separated from God ([Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "All Have Sinned")). Jesus, the sinless Son of God, came to bear this sickness upon Himself, offering His life as the perfect remedy. Through His crucifixion and resurrection, He provides the only true cure for humanity's spiritual brokenness, offering forgiveness, reconciliation, and new life to all who acknowledge their desperate need for Him ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "Christ Became Sin for Us")). He is not merely a healer of physical ailments, but the one who provides eternal salvation, transforming the "sick" into those who are truly "whole" in Him ([Colossians 2:10](/colossians/2-10 "Complete in Christ")). His ministry to the outcasts in Matthew 9 is a living parable of His ultimate mission to seek and save that which was lost, demonstrating that His grace extends to the deepest spiritual brokenness ([Luke 19:10](/luke/19-10 "The Son of Man Came to Seek and Save the Lost")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 5:31

And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.

Revelation 3:17

Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

Revelation 3:18

I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

Mark 2:17

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.

Luke 9:11

And the people, when they knew [it], followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.

Jeremiah 33:6

Behold, I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them, and will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth.

Psalms 147:3

He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.