Why did Jesus say, “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance” (Matthew 9:13)?

Answer

When the Pharisees observed Jesus eating and socializing comfortably with tax collectors and sinners at Matthew’s home, they were scandalized. They questioned why Jesus would associate with the most despised individuals in society. According to their self-righteous standards, no genuinely godly teacher would have such close fellowship with the world’s outcasts. Jesus boldly responded to their hypocrisy by stating, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance” (Matthew 9:12-13; NKJV).

Jesus portrays Himself as a doctor and healer for those who are spiritually unwell (the unrighteous sinners of the world). God loves sinners “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”, (Romans 5:8) and sent His Son into this world to save them “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.”, (1 Timothy 1:15). Repentance is the treatment plan, and forgiveness is the cure Jesus offers. “Those who are well” or “the healthy” (NIV) do not require a doctor. Jesus’ critics believed they were healthy and saw no need for a doctor, but in reality, they were deceived. Jesus is not suggesting that the Pharisees were righteous. By removing all sarcasm and irony from Christ’s statement, the verse could be interpreted as, “I have not come to call those who think they are righteous, but to help those who acknowledge they are sinners.”

Jesus quotes Hosea 6:6—“I desire mercy and not sacrifice”—as anIndictment against the Pharisees. They fail to comprehend the true meaning of the verse and thus remain unaware of their spiritually reprobate condition. The Pharisees strictly adhere to the letter of the law. They flawlessly perform religious rituals and sacrifices. However, if they were genuinely righteous, they would embody the spirit of the law by showing God’s kindness, compassion, and mercy to the marginalized in society.

When doctors visit the sick, they must engage closely with them to offer any hope of aid and recovery. Similarly, Jesus beckons sinners to Him. His love for the lost drives Him to descend to their level and share in their struggles (Hebrews 2:9;Philippians 2:7;1 John 3:16). “The Pharisees showcase their faith by staying pure. Jesus demonstrates His love by getting His hands dirty” (Knowles, A., The Bible Guide, Augsburg, 2001, p. 419).

Jesus came “to seek and to save the lost” «For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. », (Luke 19:10). He did not descend from heaven to commend self-righteous religious individuals and overlook those who do not meet the meticulous standards of the Pharisees. Jesus came to summon “all who are far off” «For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. », (Acts 2:39) and draw them close through His blood shed on the cross «but now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. », (Ephesians 2:13).

Tax collectors and sinners acknowledge their spiritual ailment. They yearn for God’s healing and forgiveness.

Essentially, there are three types of people Jesus blesses. They are “the poor in spirit,” “the meek,” and “those who hunger and thirst for righteousness” (Matthew 5:3,5-6). Conversely, the Pharisees are oblivious to their own neediness. They perceive themselves as healthy but are actually “blind fools” (Matthew 23:16-17, 23-24;see also Luke 6:41).

Jesus stated, “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” The “righteous” are esteemed individuals in society and those who consider themselves righteous. “Sinners” are the marginalized in society. To emulate Christ and avoid Pharisaic behavior, we must also engage with those in need. We must extend a helping hand to the rejected, the homeless, addicts, prostitutes, criminals, the afflicted, diseased, abused, and marginalized in our society. We will show love to those deemed unlovable, share meals with the undesirable, and befriend the forsaken. Similar to Jesus, we will show compassion for single parents, widows, divorcees, and the elderly «But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. », (Matthew 9:36)—a compassion that compels us to take action on their behalf (Matthew 15:32;Luke 7:11-17). Like the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), we will demonstrate mercy through acts of kindness by walking “in the way of love, just as Christ loved us” «and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. », (Ephes

James 5:2).