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Matthew 9:13-15
New International Version
Matthew 9:13-15
New International Version
13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’[a](A) For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”(B)
Jesus Questioned About Fasting(C)
14 Then John’s(D) disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often,(E) but your disciples do not fast?”
15 Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them?(F) The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.(G)
Footnotes
- Matthew 9:13 Hosea 6:6
Matthew 9:13-15
King James Version
Matthew 9:13-15
King James Version
13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
14 Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?
15 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.
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Matthew 9:13-15
New King James Version
Matthew 9:13-15
New King James Version
13 But go and learn what this means: (A)‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, (B)but sinners, [a]to repentance.”
Jesus Is Questioned About Fasting(C)
14 Then the disciples of John came to Him, saying, (D)“Why do we and the Pharisees fast [b]often, but Your disciples do not fast?”
15 And Jesus said to them, “Can (E)the [c]friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and (F)then they will fast.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Matthew 9:13 NU omits to repentance
- Matthew 9:14 NU brackets often as disputed.
- Matthew 9:15 Lit. sons of the bridechamber
Matthew 9:13-15
English Standard Version
Matthew 9:13-15
English Standard Version
13 Go and learn (A)what this means: (B)‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For (C)I came not to call the righteous, (D)but sinners.”
A Question About Fasting
14 Then (E)the disciples of John came to him, saying, (F)“Why do we and (G)the Pharisees fast,[a] but your disciples do not fast?” 15 And Jesus said to them, (H)“Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? (I)The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and (J)then they will fast.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Matthew 9:14 Some manuscripts add much, or often
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
New King James Version (NKJV) 
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
English Standard Version (ESV) 
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.