Mark 2:17
Verse
Context
Jesus Calls Levi
16When the scribes who were Pharisees saw Jesus eating with these people, they asked His disciples, “Why does He eat with tax collectors and sinners?”17On 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.”
Sermons







Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
To repentance - This is omitted by ABDKL, twenty-seven others; both the Syriac, Persic, Coptic, Ethiopic, Armenian, Gothic, Vulgate; six copies of the Itala; Euthymius and Augustin. Griesbach has left it out of the text; Grotius, Mill, and Bengel approve of the omission. See on Mat 9:13 (note). I leave it as in the parallel place above quoted. Properly speaking, the righteous cannot be called to repentance. They have already forsaken sin, mourned for it, and turned to God. In the other parallel place, Luk 5:32, all the MSS. and versions retain μετανοιαν, repentance.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast,.... Or "were fasting"; perhaps that very day, and so were the more displeased at this entertainment, Matthew had made for Christ and his disciples, and at their being at it; or fasting was usual with them: they fasted often, both John's disciples, and the disciples of the Pharisees, or the Pharisees themselves; so the Vulgate Latin reads: of their frequent fasting; see Gill on Mat 9:14, and they came: both the disciples of John, Mat 9:14, and the Scribes and Pharisees, Luk 5:30, and say unto him, why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not? See Gill on Mat 9:14.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
2:17 Jesus answered his opponents with a well-known proverb, comparing himself to a doctor and sinners to sick people. Salvation is for those who know they are sinners, not those who think they are righteous (Luke 16:15; 18:9; Rom 3:23).
Mark 2:17
Jesus Calls Levi
16When the scribes who were Pharisees saw Jesus eating with these people, they asked His disciples, “Why does He eat with tax collectors and sinners?”17On 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.”
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
For Whom Is the Gospel Meant?
By C.H. Spurgeon3.3K49:22MRK 2:17ROM 5:6ROM 5:81TI 1:15The sermon transcript discusses the importance of persevering in successful processes and applying them on a larger scale. The preacher emphasizes the need to preach the basic elements of the gospel, focusing on the mission of Jesus in relation to sin. The transformative power of grace is highlighted, as it not only converts individuals but also inspires and moves them deeply. The preacher shares a personal experience of preaching a simple gospel message and witnessing immediate results, leading him to believe in the effectiveness of sticking to similar subjects.
Hell's Best Kept Secret (Mandarin)
By Ray Comfort2.4K55:43EvangelismMAT 5:3MRK 2:17LUK 10:25ROM 3:191CO 1:18JAS 2:10In this sermon, the speaker, Ray Comfort, shares his personal experience with evangelism in the 1970s. He noticed that a large percentage of those who made a decision to follow Christ eventually fell away from their faith. He attributes this to the modern evangelism approach that focuses on life enhancement rather than the true message of the gospel. Comfort uses the analogy of a parachute to illustrate the difference between a genuine response to the gospel and a superficial one. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the true motive for accepting Christ and the resulting transformation in one's life.
Tokens of His Compassion - Part 3
By Leonard Ravenhill1.5K09:23ISA 61:1MRK 2:17LUK 2:41LUK 4:16HEB 13:8This sermon reflects on the story of Joseph and Mary losing Jesus in Jerusalem, highlighting the importance of seeking and rediscovering Him in our lives. It also delves into Jesus' bold declaration of His anointing to preach the gospel and bring healing and deliverance, challenging listeners to embrace the power and authority of Christ in their lives.
(Following the Footsteps of Christ) Capernaum
By Willie Mullan1.4K1:00:36CapernaumMAT 11:15MRK 1:32MRK 1:38MRK 2:1MRK 2:17In this sermon, the speaker discusses the story of four friends who brought a paralyzed man to Jesus for healing. The speaker emphasizes the love and unity of these friends, as they worked together to bring their friend to Jesus. The speaker also highlights the ingenuity of the friends, who went to great lengths to get their friend to Jesus by breaking through the roof of a house. The sermon concludes with a testimony of a young man who listened to a tape recording of the speaker's life story and got saved. The speaker ends with a song of praise and blessings for the audience.
Roof Work
By Jim Cymbala1.2K19:10Christian LifeMAT 9:2MAT 9:6MRK 2:1MRK 2:17MRK 2:22MRK 2:27LUK 5:20In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the power of faith and the importance of bringing others to Jesus. He shares the story of a paralyzed man who was brought to Jesus by four men carrying a mat. Despite the crowded house, they lowered the man through the roof to get him into the presence of Jesus. Jesus was pleased with their faith and proceeded to heal the paralyzed man, demonstrating his power to forgive sins and perform miracles. The speaker encourages the audience to have faith and bring their loved ones who need salvation to Jesus, trusting that being in his presence will bring about transformation and healing.
The Doctor Maked House Call
By Skip Heitzig1.1K55:52Christian LifeMAT 4:19MAT 9:9MRK 2:17LUK 24:322CO 6:14In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the excitement of coming into contact with the living God, comparing it to the concept of contacting aliens in a movie. The speaker emphasizes the awe and realization of walking with Jesus and recognizing Him as God in human flesh. The sermon also highlights the immediate response of individuals like Peter and Matthew, who immediately followed Jesus without hesitation. The speaker shares a refreshing experience from India, where new Christians openly declare their faith and are baptized in public, demonstrating the joy and celebration of their commitment to Jesus. The sermon concludes with a reminder that religious upbringing can sometimes blind people to their need for a Savior, and encourages believers to have contact and identification with those they seek to help, emphasizing the power of touch and caring involvement over theological knowledge.
The Necessity of Biblical Repentance
By Al Whittinghill5741:14:02RepentanceMAT 3:1MAT 4:17MRK 2:17LUK 3:7LUK 24:46ACT 2:37ACT 2:47In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of humility and repentance in the sight of God. He quotes James 4:6, which states that God gives more grace to the humble and resists the proud. The preacher urges the audience to submit themselves to God, resist the devil, and draw near to God. He also highlights the need for repentance, citing examples from the preaching of John the Baptist and the command of Jesus to repent. The sermon criticizes the focus on materialism and entertainment in society, calling for a return to worshiping God and preaching the message of repentance.
Wilt Thou Be Made Whole
By Phil Beach Jr.2150:46Christian LifeVulnerabilityHealingGEN 2:25GEN 3:10PSA 147:3MRK 2:17LUK 5:12LUK 5:18LUK 6:10JHN 5:6PHP 4:19JAS 5:16Phil Beach Jr. emphasizes the importance of acknowledging our brokenness and the need for healing in his sermon 'Wilt Thou Be Made Whole.' He draws parallels between the physical and spiritual states of being, using the story of the man with the withered hand to illustrate how we often hide our true selves from God and others due to shame and pride. Beach challenges the congregation to confront their hidden struggles and to come before God with their vulnerabilities, reminding them that Jesus is the physician who heals the sick. The sermon calls for a deep desire for God's presence and a willingness to be made whole by exposing our weaknesses rather than concealing them. Ultimately, it is a call to authenticity in our relationship with God and each other.
Our Beloved Physician
By Robert Hawker0PSA 103:3ISA 61:1JER 30:17MAT 9:12MRK 2:17Robert Hawker preaches on the compassionate nature of Jesus as the beloved physician, drawing parallels between Luke the physician and Jesus as the ultimate healer of souls. He emphasizes Jesus' role in healing the spiritually diseased, broken-hearted, blind, and oppressed, offering restoration and freedom through His grace. Hawker challenges listeners to reflect on whether they have allowed Jesus to diagnose their spiritual condition, experience His healing touch, and receive His free remedies of grace, righteousness, and love.
When Jesus Comes
By Victor Maxwell0ISA 61:1MAT 8:16MAT 11:28MRK 1:22MRK 2:17LUK 4:18COL 1:28HEB 4:12Victor Maxwell preaches on Luke 4:31-44, emphasizing the transformative power of Jesus' presence in people's lives. He warns against rejecting the Savior to the point of no return, urging listeners to embrace Jesus when He comes. The sermon highlights Jesus' diverse roles as a Teacher, Healer, Intercessor, and Sympathizing Savior, showcasing His unwavering commitment to doing the Father's will and spending time in communion with God. Maxwell draws parallels between Jesus' authoritative teaching and the need for clear, convicting messages in today's world, emphasizing the importance of being astounded by God's truth and convicted by His Word.
Mission of the 12 Apostles
By St. Cyril of Alexandria0MRK 2:17St. Cyril of Alexandria emphasizes the divine appointment of certain men as guides and teachers of the world, shining their light over all nations and people. Jesus called his disciples to a glorious apostolate, becoming pillars of truth and carrying out their mission just as the Father had sent Him. The disciples were tasked with calling sinners to repentance, healing the sick, and aligning their will with God's, aiming to save the world through their teachings.
Jesus in Season and Out of Season
By Horatius Bonar0Jesus as TeacherHealing and SalvationISA 53:5MAT 4:23MAT 7:7MAT 11:28MRK 2:17LUK 4:18JHN 1:14JHN 3:16ROM 10:13REV 22:17Horatius Bonar emphasizes the multifaceted role of Jesus as the Teacher, Preacher, and Healer in his sermon 'Jesus in Season and Out of Season.' He illustrates how Jesus, during His earthly ministry, provided comprehensive instruction, proclaimed the good news of the Kingdom, and offered healing to all who were sick, both physically and spiritually. Bonar encourages believers to approach Jesus as the source of wisdom and healing, reminding them that the gates of the Kingdom are open to all, regardless of their past. He highlights the importance of recognizing Jesus' divine authority and compassion, urging listeners to seek Him for their needs. Ultimately, Bonar reassures that Jesus remains the same today, ready to heal and teach those who come to Him.
One-Step, Two-Step or Twelve-Step?
By Anton Bosch0MAT 1:21MRK 2:17LUK 4:18JHN 8:34ROM 3:23ROM 8:21CO 15:172CO 5:17GAL 5:1COL 1:121JN 1:8Anton Bosch preaches about the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the ultimate solution to the problem of sin, emphasizing the need to acknowledge and take responsibility for our personal sins. He highlights that Jesus came to save us from our sins, offering a complete transformation and freedom from the power of darkness. The sermon challenges the belief that Christians must live in defeat and bondage to sin, instead emphasizing that through Jesus, believers can truly be free and live in victory over sin and addictions.
The Palace He Left
By J. Wilbur Chapman0PSA 45:8ISA 53:3ISA 53:5MRK 2:17JHN 3:16JHN 9:6JHN 10:9JHN 14:62CO 2:15COL 1:19J. Wilbur Chapman preaches about the beauty of the character of Jesus Christ as depicted in the Old Testament, emphasizing His sacrifice and the blessings of His incarnation. The sermon explores the imagery of the 'Ivory Palaces' from which Jesus came to be our Savior, contrasting the splendor of earthly palaces with the magnificence of His origin. It delves into the tenderness and pathos of Christ's life, from His bitter experiences to His healing power as the great physician, inviting listeners to surrender to His love and be transformed by His sweetness.
Matthew 9
By John Nelson Darby0GraceFaithHealingPSA 103:3MAT 9:12MAT 9:20MAT 9:36MRK 2:17LUK 19:10JHN 3:17ROM 5:8EPH 2:8John Nelson Darby expounds on Matthew 9, illustrating how Jesus embodies the grace of God by forgiving sins and healing diseases, fulfilling the role of Israel's true Redeemer. He emphasizes that Jesus came to call sinners, not the righteous, and highlights the rejection of His ministry by the Pharisees and learned men who could not accept His divine authority. The chapter showcases the power of faith, as seen in the healing of a woman who touched Jesus' garment, and the compassion He had for the people, likening them to sheep without a shepherd. Despite opposition, Jesus continues His mission of grace, demonstrating that His power is for all who believe. Ultimately, the sermon reveals the transformative nature of grace that calls and heals, regardless of societal or religious barriers.
First Service at Bootle. — Remarkable Gathering. — Many Converts.
By Gwilym Hughes0PSA 139:14MAT 7:13MAT 9:12MRK 2:17JHN 10:9ROM 10:131TH 5:161TI 2:4JAS 5:16REV 3:20Gwilym Hughes preaches at the Stanley Road Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Chapel in Bootle, Liverpool, amidst a magnificent gathering of thousands, including a great Welsh population. The congregation experiences a surge of spiritual fervor, with prayers, supplications, and hymns filling the air. Hughes emphasizes the choice between eternal life and destruction, urging individuals to enter through the narrow door to salvation. He paints a vivid picture of the great Physician who heals all wounds, contrasting the suffering on earth with the wholeness in Heaven. The service culminates in a powerful display of conversions, prayers for salvation, and a call to remain close to Jesus and engage in prayer and work.
The Emergence of Sin and Misery
By John Piper0GEN 3:5GEN 12:1MRK 2:17ACT 17:26ROM 3:23ROM 8:20EPH 2:12TH 1:7HEB 10:19John Piper preaches on 'The Emergence of Sin and Misery,' emphasizing the foundational truths of God's creation and the doctrine of original sin. He explains how sin and misery have affected all humanity since the fall of Adam and Eve, leading to the necessity of redemption through Christ. Piper delves into the power of sin, its origin, nature, consequences, and the divine remedy provided by God, urging listeners to understand the depth of their sinfulness and the need for forgiveness and holiness through Christ.
How to Keep Your Healing
By Charles S. Price0GEN 1:1ISA 53:5MAT 9:22MRK 2:171CO 11:23Charles S. Price preaches about the integral connection between sin and sickness, emphasizing that sickness entered the world through sin. He highlights that while some sickness may be a result of personal sin, other cases are due to sin in the world. Price stresses the importance of faith in receiving healing, comparing it to the act of receiving salvation through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. He encourages believers to fully surrender to Jesus for healing, as it is part of the atonement provided by His sacrifice.
The People Who Receive the Saints' Rest
By Richard Baxter0MRK 2:17LUK 12:32LUK 17:21JHN 3:3ACT 7:59EPH 1:4PHP 1:232TH 1:7HEB 4:9REV 5:9Richard Baxter preaches about the heavenly rest designed for the people of God, who are chosen by God before the foundation of the world and are born again spiritually. These individuals experience conviction of sin, their own insufficiency, and are convinced of the full sufficiency of Jesus Christ. The will of the people of God is changed by their conviction, leading them to accept Christ as Savior and Lord with their whole soul. Baxter urges self-examination to see if one truly belongs to the people of God and emphasizes the importance of abiding in Christ and enduring to the end.
Holiness and Evangelism
By James Blaine Chapman0PRO 11:30MAT 5:13MRK 2:17ACT 11:24ROM 12:22CO 6:17EPH 5:8JAS 1:271PE 1:16REV 2:14James Blaine Chapman emphasizes the importance of holiness and separation from the world while still being actively engaged in evangelism. He warns against the dangers of mixing worldly practices with evangelism, as it can lead to the corruption of the Church. Chapman highlights the need for Christians to be insulated but not isolated, following Jesus' example of being holy yet engaging with sinners to bring healing and salvation. He stresses the necessity of maintaining purity and concentration in evangelism, focusing on influencing a few deeply rather than many superficially. Chapman underscores that a burden for the salvation of souls, rooted in personal holiness, is essential for effective soul winning.
The Characters of the Healthy and Sick, in a Spiritual Sense, Considered and Contrasted
By Samuel Davies0MAT 9:12MRK 2:17LUK 5:31LUK 19:10JAS 5:16Samuel Davies preaches about the importance of recognizing our spiritual sickness and the need for Jesus Christ as the divine Physician to heal our souls. He contrasts the attitudes of those who are spiritually healthy, yet unaware of their need for a Savior, with those who are spiritually sick, deeply aware of their sinfulness and eager for healing. Davies emphasizes the necessity of being like the sick souls who eagerly seek Jesus, submit to His prescriptions, and diligently use the means of grace for their recovery, contrasting them with the healthy-hearted sinners who neglect the Physician and remain in their spiritual pride and indifference.
Letter 170.
By James Bourne0PRO 3:5MAT 5:4MRK 2:17HEB 12:6JAS 4:8James Bourne writes a heartfelt letter to Mrs. Oakley, reflecting on their shared experiences and spiritual growth. He emphasizes the importance of seeking the guidance of the Lord in all aspects of life, especially in times of distress and uncertainty. Bourne encourages Mrs. Oakley to remain teachable, reverent towards God's word, and to embrace the correction and chastening of the Lord as a sign of His love. He commends her courage in standing apart from worldly influences and urges her to continue in prayer, humility, and obedience to God's will, while expressing concern for Mr. Oakley's spiritual well-being and the need for him to seek God's mercy and forgiveness.
- Adam Clarke
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
To repentance - This is omitted by ABDKL, twenty-seven others; both the Syriac, Persic, Coptic, Ethiopic, Armenian, Gothic, Vulgate; six copies of the Itala; Euthymius and Augustin. Griesbach has left it out of the text; Grotius, Mill, and Bengel approve of the omission. See on Mat 9:13 (note). I leave it as in the parallel place above quoted. Properly speaking, the righteous cannot be called to repentance. They have already forsaken sin, mourned for it, and turned to God. In the other parallel place, Luk 5:32, all the MSS. and versions retain μετανοιαν, repentance.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast,.... Or "were fasting"; perhaps that very day, and so were the more displeased at this entertainment, Matthew had made for Christ and his disciples, and at their being at it; or fasting was usual with them: they fasted often, both John's disciples, and the disciples of the Pharisees, or the Pharisees themselves; so the Vulgate Latin reads: of their frequent fasting; see Gill on Mat 9:14, and they came: both the disciples of John, Mat 9:14, and the Scribes and Pharisees, Luk 5:30, and say unto him, why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not? See Gill on Mat 9:14.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
2:17 Jesus answered his opponents with a well-known proverb, comparing himself to a doctor and sinners to sick people. Salvation is for those who know they are sinners, not those who think they are righteous (Luke 16:15; 18:9; Rom 3:23).