Luke 5:32
New International Version
I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

New Living Translation
I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.”

English Standard Version
I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

Berean Standard Bible
I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

Berean Literal Bible
I have not come to call righteous ones, but sinners, to repentance."

King James Bible
I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

New King James Version
I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

New American Standard Bible
I have not come to call the righteous to repentance, but sinners.”

NASB 1995
“I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

NASB 1977
“I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

Legacy Standard Bible
I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

Amplified Bible
I did not come to call the [self-proclaimed] righteous [who see no need to repent], but sinners to repentance [to change their old way of thinking, to turn from sin and to seek God and His righteousness].”

Christian Standard Bible
I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

American Standard Version
I am not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.

Contemporary English Version
I didn't come to invite good people to turn to God. I came to invite sinners."

English Revised Version
I am not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I've come to call sinners to change the way they think and act, not to call people who think they have God's approval."

Good News Translation
I have not come to call respectable people to repent, but outcasts."

International Standard Version
I have not come to call righteous people, but sinners, to repentance."

Majority Standard Bible
I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

NET Bible
I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

New Heart English Bible
I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

Webster's Bible Translation
I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Weymouth New Testament
I have not come to call the righteous to repentance, but sinners."

World English Bible
I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
I did not come to call righteous men, but sinners, to conversion.”

Berean Literal Bible
I have not come to call righteous ones, but sinners, to repentance."

Young's Literal Translation
I came not to call righteous men, but sinners, to reformation.'

Smith's Literal Translation
I came not to call the just, but the sinful to repentance.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
I came not to call the just, but sinners to penance.

Catholic Public Domain Version
I have not come to call the just, but sinners to repentance.”

New American Bible
I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.”

New Revised Standard Version
I have come to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
I have not come to call the righteous, but the sinners to repentance.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“I have not come that I may call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
I have not come to call righteous men, but sinners, to repentance.

Godbey New Testament
I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Haweis New Testament
I came not to call righteous men, but sinners, to repentance.

Mace New Testament
I came not to call saints, but sinners to repentance. Then they ask'd him, how comes it that John's disciples,

Weymouth New Testament
I have not come to call the righteous to repentance, but sinners."

Worrell New Testament
I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

Worsley New Testament
but sinners to repentance.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Calling of Levi
31Jesus answered, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” 33Then they said to Him, “John’s disciples and those of the Pharisees frequently fast and pray, but Yours keep on eating and drinking.”…

Cross References
Matthew 9:13
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Mark 2:17
On 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.”

1 Timothy 1:15
This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst.

Ezekiel 18:30-32
Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that your iniquity will not become your downfall. / Cast away from yourselves all the transgressions you have committed, and fashion for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, O house of Israel? / For I take no pleasure in anyone’s death, declares the Lord GOD. So repent and live!

Isaiah 55:6-7
Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. / Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.

Matthew 11:28-30
Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. / Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. / For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Romans 5:8
But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.

Acts 3:19
Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away,

Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool.

Matthew 21:31-32
Which of the two did the will of his father?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you. / For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

Luke 15:7
I tell you that in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous ones who do not need to repent.

Luke 19:10
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

John 3:17
For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.

Romans 2:4
Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?


Treasury of Scripture

I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Luke 4:18,19
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, …

Luke 15:7,10
I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance…

Luke 18:10-14
Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican…

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Luke 5
1. Jesus teaches the people out of Peter's ship;
4. shows how he will make them fishers of men;
12. cleanses the leper;
16. prays in the desert;
17. heals a paralytic;
27. calls Matthew the tax collector;
29. eats with sinners, as being the physician of souls;
33. foretells the fasting and afflictions of the apostles after his ascension;
36. and illustrates the matter by the parable of patches.














I have not come
This phrase signifies the intentionality and purpose of Jesus' mission. The Greek word for "come" is "ἔρχομαι" (erchomai), which implies an arrival with a specific purpose. Jesus' coming was not accidental or without direction; it was a deliberate act of divine intervention in human history. This phrase sets the stage for understanding the mission of Christ as one that is divinely orchestrated and purposeful.

to call
The Greek word used here is "καλέω" (kaleō), which means to invite or summon. This is not a mere casual invitation but a powerful, authoritative call that demands a response. In the context of Jesus' ministry, this call is an invitation to repentance and transformation. It is a call that transcends social and religious boundaries, reaching out to all who are willing to listen and respond.

the righteous
The term "righteous" in Greek is "δίκαιος" (dikaios), which refers to those who are just or virtuous according to the law. In the context of first-century Judaism, the "righteous" were often seen as those who adhered strictly to the Mosaic Law. However, Jesus challenges this notion by implying that self-perceived righteousness is not the criterion for His call. This phrase serves as a critique of those who rely on their own perceived moral superiority rather than recognizing their need for divine grace.

but sinners
The Greek word for "sinners" is "ἁμαρτωλός" (hamartōlos), which denotes those who have missed the mark or fallen short of God's standards. In the cultural and religious context of the time, sinners were often marginalized and ostracized. Jesus' mission to call sinners highlights His radical approach to inclusivity and grace. It underscores the transformative power of His message, which offers hope and redemption to those who are often deemed unworthy by societal standards.

to repentance
The word "repentance" is translated from the Greek "μετάνοια" (metanoia), which means a change of mind or a turning away from sin. This is not merely an emotional response but a profound transformation of one's entire being. Repentance involves a conscious decision to turn away from sin and towards God, embracing a new way of life. In the context of Jesus' ministry, repentance is the gateway to experiencing the fullness of God's kingdom and the abundant life He offers. This phrase encapsulates the heart of Jesus' message: a call to transformation and renewal through the power of God's grace.

(32) I came not.--Strictly, I have not come.

But sinners to repentance.--In the best MSS. the last word is added by St. Luke only. One MS. (the Sinaitic) has the remarkable various-reading "the ungodly" for "sinners," as if from a recollection of Romans 5:6-7.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
I have not come
ἐλήλυθα (elēlytha)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2064: To come, go.

to call
καλέσαι (kalesai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 2564: (a) I call, summon, invite, (b) I call, name. Akin to the base of keleuo; to 'call'.

[the] righteous,
δικαίους (dikaious)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1342: From dike; equitable; by implication, innocent, holy.

but
ἀλλὰ (alla)
Conjunction
Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

sinners,
ἁμαρτωλοὺς (hamartōlous)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 268: Sinning, sinful, depraved, detestable. From hamartano; sinful, i.e. A sinner.

to
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

repentance.”
μετάνοιαν (metanoian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3341: From metanoeo; compunction; by implication, reversal (another's) decision).


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Luke 5:31
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