Skip to reading
Atomic Bible
Matthew 9:12
On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.
from Jesus Calls Matthew, Matthew 9:9-13
What it says

Jesus answers that a doctor belongs with the sick rather than the healthy, framing his table fellowship as care.

What it is doing

The image explains why his company does not match Pharisaic expectations.

In context

9As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax booth. “Follow Me,” He told him, and Matthew got up and followed Him. 10Later, as Jesus was dining at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with Him and His disciples. 11When the Pharisees saw this, they asked His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners. ”