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12 When Jesus heard them, he said, “It is not the healthy people who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 Go and learn what this means: ‘I want kindness more than I want animal sacrifices.’[a] I did not come to invite good people but to invite sinners.”

Jesus’ Followers Are Criticized

14 Then the followers of John[b] came to Jesus and said, “Why do we and the Pharisees often fast[c] for a certain time, but your followers don’t?”

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Footnotes

  1. 9:13 ‘I want . . . sacrifices.’ Quotation from Hosea 6:6.
  2. 9:14 John John the Baptist, who preached to people about Christ’s coming (Matthew 3, Luke 3).
  3. 9:14 fast The people would give up eating for a special time of prayer and worship to God. It was also done to show sadness and disappointment.

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