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MATTHEW 9:12 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
Matt 9:11Matt 9:13
“But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.”
But when he heard it, he said, Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. The physician analogy: physicians are found with the sick, not the healthy, because the sick are who need them. The objection to Jesus eating with sinners is the same as objecting to a doctor treating patients — the doctor must go where the sickness is. The Pharisees' commitment to purity through separation keeps them from the sick; Jesus' commitment to healing through engagement brings him to them. Luke 19:10 says the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost — the lost are where he goes, not the found.

Church Fathers on Matthew 9:12

Having wrought this miracle, Christ would not abide in the same place, lest He should rouse the envy of the Jews. Let us also do thus, not obstinately opposing those who lay in wait for us. 'And as Jesus departed thence,' (namely from the place in which He had done this miracle,) 'he saw a man sitting at the receipt of custom, Matthew by name.'

Chrysostom · 4th century · Hom., xxx

The other Evangelists from respect to Matthew have not called him by his common name, but say here, Levi, for he had both names. Matthew himself, according to that Solomon says, 'The righteous man accuses himself,' [Prov 18:17] calls himself both Matthew and Publican, to shew the readers that none need despair of salvation who turn to better things, seeing he from a Publican became an Apostle.

Jerome · 4th century

He says, 'sitting at the receipt of custom,' that is, in the place where the tolls were collected. He was named Telonarius, from a Greek word signifying taxes.

Gloss (Glossa Ordinaria) · medieval compilation · ap Anselm
Read all 31 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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Matthew 9:12 — Community Reflections | HolyStudy