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12 But when Jesus heard it, He replied, Those who are strong and well (healthy) have no need of a physician, but those who are weak and sick.

13 Go and learn what this means: I desire mercy [that is, [a]readiness to help those in trouble] and not sacrifice and sacrificial victims. For I came not to call and invite [to repentance] the righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with God), but sinners (the erring ones and all those not free from sin).(A)

14 Then the disciples of John came to Jesus, inquiring, Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast [b]often, [that is, abstain from food and drink as a religious exercise], but Your disciples do not fast?

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 9:13 Joseph Thayer, A Greek-English Lexicon.
  2. Matthew 9:14 Many manuscripts so read.

12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’[a](A) For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”(B)

Jesus Questioned About Fasting(C)

14 Then John’s(D) disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often,(E) but your disciples do not fast?”

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 9:13 Hosea 6:6