Luke 6:6-10
Luke 6:6 (KJB)
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.
The previous week, the Pharisees were defeated in their attempt to accuse Jesus
and His disciples of breaking the sabbath. So now they had in place another set
up to see what Jesus would do on the sabbath. They knew that He would have
compassion on someone with a serious medical condition and this man’s condition
meant nothing to the Pharisees. They wanted to see if Jesus would heal on the
sabbath day. If He did, then they would also have enough witnesses to bring Him
before the Sanhedrin and accuse Him of violating the sabbath. They realized that
if a person’s condition was so that his life was in peril, then medical help
would be allowed on the sabbath but this man’s condition was not life
threatening, so it was basically a set up. The other question that needs to be
asked is on any other day, would they have allowed this man to be inside the
temple with such a condition? I would venture to say that they would not allow
him in but would make him stay in a different area and probably out of sight if
possible.
Luke 6:7 (KJB)
And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath
day; that they might find an accusation against him.
The scribes and Pharisees now had their trap set and were waiting to see if
Jesus would spring it. The word “watched” in the Greek carries with it the idea
of “lie in wait for or observe carefully” which means that this man was not
there as a regular attendee but as a trap set by the leaders. They were not just
watching Jesus to see if He would violate the Sabbath, they were intently
watching to see if Jesus would break the least rule concerning the Sabbath. They
wanted to make an accusation against Him so any infraction of the Sabbath rules
were desired.
Luke 6:8 (KJB)
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.
Jesus then tells the man with the withered hand that he should arise and He
actually stood the man in the midst of the congregation so there would be no
doubt that He was going to perform a miracle of compassion in the sight of
everyone. Jesus did everything openly as He would state in His appearance before
the High Priest prior to His crucifixion and in the Garden of Gethsemane at His
arrest.
Luke 6:9 (KJB)
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?
Jesus then presents one of His unanswerable questions to the Pharisees. While He
was standing there with the man ready to heal, He then asks the question as to
whether it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath days? Or is it lawful to do evil
on the Sabbath day? This question would have caught them in moment of hypocrisy
because they would never agree with the idea of doing evil on the Sabbath day
but if they gave approval to doing good on the Sabbath day, then in their mind,
would they be advocating doing work on the Sabbath, even if it was good works?
Then Jesus asks two other questions. Is it lawful to save a life on the Sabbath
or take a life on the Sabbath? Suppose Israel was at war and they were attacked
on the Sabbath? Would they be allowed to defend themselves on the day to save
the lives of their people while taking the lives of the enemy who is attacking?
It was to their benefit to keep quiet and not answer those questions. (Prov
17:28 KJV) Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that
shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding. It was wise for them
to follow the wisdom of Proverbs.
Luke 6:10 (KJB)
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.
Jesus did not concern Himself with their hypocrisy and evil intents. He saw a
man in need and He met that need whether they liked it or not. He then commanded
the man to stretch forth his hand and his hand was restored just like the other.
Jesus had spoken to the Pharisees that doing good on the sabbath was lawful and
here Jesus puts those words into practice right in front of them. This is also
a principle for Christian living that we should never fear false religions. If
we know of a need that has to be met, we must never concern ourselves with the
legalism and false tenets of false religion but we must obey God. (Acts 5:29
KJV) Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God
rather than men.