Luke 14:2

Luke 14:2 introduces a crucial element in the narrative of Jesus' Sabbath meal at the house of a prominent Pharisee: the presence of a man suffering from dropsy. This verse immediately sets the stage for a divine encounter that will challenge religious conventions and underscore Jesus' compassionate authority.

Context

This verse directly follows Luke 14:1, which states that Jesus was invited to dine on the Sabbath and that the Pharisees were "watching him." The sudden appearance of a man with dropsy (edema) in this setting is highly significant. It immediately frames the subsequent events as another test for Jesus regarding Sabbath observance, a recurring point of contention between Him and the Jewish religious leaders. Whether the man was brought there to trap Jesus or was simply present hoping for healing, his condition becomes the catalyst for Jesus' next miracle and teaching.

Key Themes

• Divine Compassion: Despite being under intense scrutiny by His adversaries, Jesus' primary concern is the suffering individual. This highlights His consistent prioritization of human need and welfare over rigid adherence to man-made rules.
• Sabbath Controversy: The presence of a sick man on the Sabbath in a Pharisee's house creates an unavoidable conflict. This scenario is a common motif in the Gospels, where Jesus performs healings on the Sabbath, challenging the legalistic interpretations that had burdened the spirit of the law.
• Jesus' Authority: The situation provides Jesus with an opportunity to demonstrate both His power to heal and His divine authority to correctly interpret God's will regarding the Sabbath, contrasting it with the Pharisees' narrow views.

Linguistic Insights

The term "dropsy" in the KJV translates the Greek word hydrops (ὑδρωπικός, *hydropsikos*). This refers to edema, a medical condition characterized by the abnormal accumulation of fluid in the body's tissues, often a symptom of serious underlying diseases such as heart, kidney, or liver failure. It would have been a visibly debilitating and uncomfortable affliction, making the man's suffering evident to everyone present. The KJV's use of "behold" (ἰδοὺ, *idou*) serves as an emphatic interjection, drawing the reader's attention to the immediate and striking presence of this afflicted man before Jesus, underscoring the dramatic tension of the scene.

Significance and Application

Luke 14:2, though brief, is pivotal as it sets the stage for Jesus' powerful demonstration of compassion and His challenge to religious legalism. It underscores Jesus' unwavering commitment to grace and healing, even when it means confronting entrenched traditions. For believers today, this verse reminds us of:

• The importance of prioritizing compassion and human well-being, especially for those who are suffering, over rigid adherence to rules or customs that lack the spirit of love.
• Jesus' example of challenging legalism and hypocrisy, encouraging us to seek true righteousness rooted in God's character rather than outward appearances or human-made regulations.
• The constant readiness of Jesus to meet needs, even when surrounded by adversaries, demonstrating His divine mission to bring life and healing to all who are afflicted.