Matthew 9:13
11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
14 At that time John’s disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast so often, but Your disciples do not fast?”
15 Jesus replied, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while He is with them? But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
- KJV
- But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
- WEB
- But you go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
- ASV
- But go ye and learn what [this] meaneth, I desire mercy, and not sacrifice, for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.
- DARBY
- But go and learn what [that] is I will have mercy and not sacrifice; for I have not come to call righteous [men] but sinners.
- BLB
- But having gone, learn what is ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
- ÅB
- Men gå bort og lær hva dette betyr: ‘Jeg vil ha barmhjertighet og ikke offer. For jeg er ikke kommet for å kalle rettferdige, men for å kalle syndere.’»
- OTB
- Gå nå og lær hva dette betyr: 'Jeg ønsker barmhjertighet, ikke offer.' For jeg er ikke kommet for å kalle rettferdige, men syndere."
- B1930
- Men gå bort og lær hvad det er: Jeg har lyst til barmhjertighet og ikke til offer. For jeg er ikke kommet for å kalle rettferdige, men for å kalle syndere.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Mark 2:17
On hearing this, Jesus told them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Read in contextLuke 19:10
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Read in contextHosea 6:6
For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
Read in contextLuke 5:32
I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”
Read in contextMatthew 12:7
If only you had known the meaning of ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.
Read in context1 Timothy 1:13–16
I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man; yet because I had acted in ignorance and unbelief, I was shown mercy.
Read in contextProverbs 21:3
To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.
Read in context2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.
Read in context