Paragraph 9:12–13

9:12a

There is a contrast here. The Greek of 9:12a begins with a conjunction that is often translated as “but.” The contrast is between the belief of the Pharisees that Jesus was doing wrong, and the truth that Jesus was helping these sinners come back to God. Some English versions indicate this contrast with the conjunction “but.” For example:

But when he heard it. (English Standard Version)

The Berean Standard Bible omits this conjunction and leaves the contrast with 9:11 implicit.

On hearing this, Jesus said: Jesus heard the question of the Pharisees to his disciples, and he answered it himself.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Jesus heard them and answered (Good News Translation)
-or-
When Jesus heard that, he said (God’s Word)

9:12b–c

It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick: Jesus responded to the Pharisees’ rhetorical question with a proverb. In this proverb, Jesus used the words healthy, sick, and doctor in a spiritual sense. The people who are healthy represent the Pharisees. They think that they are well and do not need any spiritual help. The people who are sick represent the tax collectors and sinners. They know that they need Jesus’ help. The doctor represents Jesus, who can help the sinners to become righteous.

In some languages, it may be necessary to put some of the above information in a footnote to explain this proverb.

Also, in some languages, it may be more natural to change the order of the clauses. For example:

Those who are sick need a doctor, not those who are well.

9:12b

the healthy: This clause refers to people who are healthy and physically well.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Those who are well (English Standard Version)
-or-
people who are not sick

who need a doctor: The word doctor is another word for a physician. This clause means that people who are healthy do not need a doctor to cure/treat them.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

do not need a doctor
-or-
do not seek a doctor ⌊to cure them⌋

9:12c

but the sick: Some words from the previous clause are implied but not repeated here. In some languages, it may be more natural to repeat some of those words from the previous clause. For example:

but ⌊it is⌋ sick people ⌊who need a doctor⌋

-or-

but ⌊the people who need a doctor⌋ ⌊to cure them⌋ are the people who are not well

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