But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
Ver. 12. But when Jesus heard that, he said] Hence we learn, that although it be a servile business, as Plato calleth it, and an endless piece of work, to make answer and apology to all slanders (πασιν απολογεισθαι θεραπευτικον); yet where God's glory is interested, and the salvation of other men's souls hazarded, we must endeavour the clearing of our names, and the righting of our injuries and indignities cast upon us. But let this be done with meekness of wisdom, with weight of reason, not heat of passion, and rather in God's words than in our own, as here.
They that be whole] There are none such, but in conceit only. The civil justiciary ails nothing, complains of nothing, is as sound as a rock; but no such sound heart can come to heaven; as, in another sense, none but sound can come there. Only sensible sinners are capable of cure and comfort, such as see themselves Christless creatures.
Need not the physician] And the physician needs them as little; he came not, cares not, for them, they have as much help from him as they seek. Presumption is as a chain to their neck, and they believe their interest in Christ, when it is no such thing. They make a bridge of their own shadow, and so fall into the brook; they perish by catching at their own catch, hanging on their own fancy, which they falsely call and count faith.