6On another Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was withered. [6:7] And the scribes and Pharisees were closely watching him — whether he would heal on the Sabbath — so that they might find grounds to accuse him. [6:8] But he knew their deliberations, and he said to the man with the withered hand, "Rise and stand in the middle." And he rose and stood. [6:9] Then Jesus said to them, "I ask you, is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm — to save a life or to destroy it?" [6:10] And looking around at them all, he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He did so, and his hand was restored. [6:11] But they were filled with senseless rage and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.
LUK 6:6-11
Jesus Heals on the Sabbath
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st-century Jewish context, the Sabbath was a sacred institution, deeply tied to covenantal identity and Torah observance. The Pharisees and scribes, as guardians of Jewish tradition, were vigilant in ensuring Sabbath laws were upheld. Healing on the Sabbath was contentious because it could be classified as 'work,' which was prohibited. The man with the withered hand would have been seen as ritually impure and socially marginalized, unable to fully participate in communal or religious life. Jesus’ act of healing challenged the Pharisees’ interpretation of Sabbath law, which prioritized ritual purity over human need. The Greek term (paratēreō) underscores their hostile scrutiny, suggesting they were not merely observing but seeking grounds to accuse Him. Jesus’ question, 'Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm?' reframes the issue, emphasizing the Sabbath’s purpose as a gift for human flourishing rather than a burden of legalism. This confrontation highlights the tension between Jesus’ authority and the religious leaders’ commitment to tradition.
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How other translations render this
LUK 6:6
- KJV
- And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered.
- BSB
- On another Sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was withered.
- Koinōnos
- On another Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was withered.
LUK 6:7
- KJV
- And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him.
- BSB
- Looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, the scribes and Pharisees were watching Him closely to see if He would heal on the Sabbath.
- Koinōnos
- And the scribes and Pharisees were closely watching him — whether he would heal on the Sabbath — so that they might find grounds to accuse him.
LUK 6:8
- KJV
- But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth.
- BSB
- But Jesus knew their thoughts and said to the man with the withered hand, “Get up and stand among us.” So he got up and stood there.
- Koinōnos
- But he knew their deliberations, and he said to the man with the withered hand, "Rise and stand in the middle." And he rose and stood.
LUK 6:9
- KJV
- Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?
- BSB
- Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?”
- Koinōnos
- Then Jesus said to them, "I ask you, is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm — to save a life or to destroy it?
LUK 6:10
- KJV
- And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other.
- BSB
- And after looking around at all of them, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so, and it was restored.
- Koinōnos
- And looking around at them all, he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He did so, and his hand was restored.
LUK 6:11
- KJV
- And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.
- BSB
- But the scribes and Pharisees were filled with rage and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus.
- Koinōnos
- But they were filled with senseless rage and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
LUK 6:7
- Were closely watching:The word translated 'were closely watching' implies a hostile, even malicious, observation, looking for an opportunity to find fault or accuse.
LUK 6:8
- thoughts:The term used here for 'thoughts' often refers to inner reasonings, deliberations, or even disputations, suggesting a process of internal debate or questioning.
LUK 6:9
- Life:The word translated 'life' here refers to the animating principle of a living being, often associated with breath, and can also mean one's very existence or self.
LUK 6:11
- with rage:The phrase 'with rage' comes from a word that means a lack of understanding or folly, suggesting a senseless or irrational anger rather than just intense emotion.