‘And Jesus answering said to them, “Those who are in health have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I am not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”
Jesus took over the question and gave them His reply. He wanted them and the world to know that He had not come simply to mingle with ‘the righteous', that is those who strove to keep the Law and thought that they did so (who would not be many in number). He had come to those who were sick of soul and in need. He had come to save and restore. Those who were in health did not need a doctor, only those who were sick. Thus He was here to be a spiritual doctor to sinners and all in need. He was here to call them to turn to God in repentance.
It is probable that He had mind the words in Jeremiah 8:22, ‘Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?' He had come for the purpose of meeting that lack, to provide a balm in Gilead, and to be that physician. But He was not really suggesting that the Pharisees did not need a physician. They in fact desperately needed one. He was pointing out that the recovery of God's people in these last days required a physician like Himself, and that He had come for all who recognised their need and admitted their spiritual ill-health. Those who thought themselves already righteous would not come to Him. Thus He could not help them. But for all who recognised their need, whoever they were, He was available.
His claim to be God's physician must be seen for what it is. He is setting Himself up as having a certain level of uniqueness. He is able to restore sinners because he is not a sinner. The ailing and sick doctor is little use to his patients. And He is calling them to repentance, to turn to God with all their hearts. He can do this because He need no repentance. Here is the only Son acting on behalf of His Father. We may compare Jesus' willingness to be a healer here with the man in Isaiah 3:7, who was not prepared to be a healer because it would be too costly and demanding. Jesus minded neither the cost nor the demand. The Father had sought a physician and He was here.