Mark 2:17

If it were not for sin Jesus would not have sacrificed His life. 

The truth is that sinners, of which I am greatest, required the exchange of the perfect Lamb in propitiation of our sins. Without this we would be without hope. We have no right to withhold forgiveness from any person who ask. We have no basis for arrogance or pride. We can only be extremely humbled that God loved His creation so very much that He gave His only begotten Son to die in our place.

Praise and glory belong to the King of kings, the Lord of lords.

In this instance Jesus was speaking tongue-in-cheek when He used the word righteous. None are righteous, though some, such as the Pharisees, fancied themselves as such. Instead, Christ came to call sinners to repentance. Jesus did not condone the activities of sinners, but required repentance—a change of mind that recognizes the need of a Savior and recognizes Jesus Christ as the only Savior. NKJ Bible.

Mark 2:17 (NKJV)

¹⁷ When Jesus heard it, He said to them,  “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

Matthew 9:13 (NKJV)

¹³ But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”