Mar 2:17 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.
Alternative: The strong have no need of a healer, but the ill have. I set out not to summon the virtuous but the erroneous to change their minds.


"They that are whole " is from ischuô (ischuo), which means "to be strong in body," "to be powerful," "to prevail," and "to be worth."

"Need" is from chreia (chreia ), which means "need," "want," "poverty," "a request of anecessity," "business," "military service," "a business affair," "employment," "familiarity," "intimacy," and "maxim."

"Physician" is from iatros (iatros), which means "one who heals," "physician," and "surgeon."

"Sick" is from kakos (kakos), which means "bad," "mean," "base," "ugly," "ill-born," "evil," "worthless," "sorry," "pernicious," and "ill."

"Come" is from erchomai, which means "to come" and "to go." It means "to set out" and "to arrive at." It is a little like we use the phrase "he is on his way,"or "to be under way," which can mean either that he is coming or going with no direct reference to the position of the speaker.

"Call," is from kaleô (kaleo), which means "call," "summon," "invite," "invoke," "call by name," and "demand."

"Righteous" is from dikaios (dikaios) which means "observant of rules," "observant of customs," and "observant of duty." Later it means "well-balanced," "impartial," and "just." In Matthew, it is first translated as "the just" and later always as "the righteous."

"Sinners" is from hamartôlos (hamartolos) which means "erroneous," and "of bad character."

"Repentance," is from metanoeô (metanoia), which literally means "to perceive afterward," "to perceive too late," "to change one's mind," "to change one's purpose," and "to repent."