Luke 14:3

And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day?

And {G2532} Jesus {G2424} answering {G611} spake {G2036} unto {G4314} the lawyers {G3544} and {G2532} Pharisees {G5330}, saying {G3004}, Is it {G1487} lawful {G1832} to heal {G2323} on the sabbath day {G4521}?

Yeshua spoke up and asked the Torah experts and P’rushim, “Does the Torah allow healing on Shabbat or not?”

So Jesus asked the experts in the law and the Pharisees, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?”

And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath, or not?

Commentary

Commentary on Luke 14:3 (KJV)

Luke 14:3 presents a pivotal moment where Jesus directly confronts the religious leaders regarding the proper observance of the Sabbath day. This verse sets the stage for a crucial discussion about God's true intentions for His law versus the rigid interpretations of men.

Context

This verse occurs as Jesus is dining in the house of one of the chief Pharisees on the Sabbath. A man suffering from dropsy (a severe swelling of the body) is present, and the lawyers and Pharisees are closely observing Jesus, hoping to find fault with Him. Knowing their thoughts and intentions, Jesus takes the initiative by posing a direct question that challenges their legalistic mindset. This mirrors other instances where Jesus challenged the Pharisees' rigid interpretation of the Sabbath, such as when He healed the man with a withered hand or the woman with a spirit of infirmity, always prioritizing human well-being.

Key Themes

  • Jesus' Authority: Instead of waiting for an accusation, Jesus seizes the moment, demonstrating His divine authority and wisdom by putting the question to them. He doesn't shy away from confronting their flawed understanding of God's law. Jesus, as the Lord of the Sabbath, consistently prioritized compassion over legalistic adherence.
  • Mercy vs. Legalism: The core tension in this verse is between the spirit of the law, which emphasizes compassion and care for humanity, and the letter of the law, which the Pharisees had burdened with numerous human traditions and restrictions. Jesus forces them to consider whether healing – an act of mercy – truly violates God's intent for the Sabbath.
  • Hypocrisy Challenged: By asking "Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day?", Jesus exposes the hypocrisy of those who would condemn an act of healing while meticulously observing their own rules. Their concern was not with the man's suffering, but with trapping Jesus.

Linguistic Insights

The key word in Jesus' question is "lawful," translated from the Greek word ἔξεστιν (exestin), which means "it is permitted," "it is proper," or "it is lawful." Jesus uses their own legalistic framework to highlight its shortcomings. He directly asks if an act of goodness and healing falls outside what is "permitted" by God's law, urging them to look beyond their man-made interpretations to the true heart of the Mosaic Law.

Practical Application

Luke 14:3 remains highly relevant today, challenging believers to examine their own understanding and application of religious rules. It reminds us that:

  • Compassion Over Rules: God's laws are given for our good and to promote love and justice, not to become rigid burdens that prevent acts of mercy. We should always prioritize compassion and human welfare.
  • Spirit of the Law: Understanding the spirit behind God's commands is more vital than strict adherence to the letter, especially when human traditions obscure God's loving intent.
  • Authentic Faith: True faith is demonstrated through actions of love and grace, not merely through outward religious observance or the judgment of others. We are called to embody the mercy of Christ in our daily lives, as highlighted in other teachings of Jesus, such as the woes against the scribes and Pharisees concerning justice, mercy, and faith.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 12:10

    And, behold, there was a man which had [his] hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.

  • Luke 6:9

    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]?

  • Luke 13:14

    And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.

  • Luke 13:16

    And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?

  • Mark 3:4

    And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace.

  • John 7:23

    If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day?

  • Matthew 22:35

    Then one of them, [which was] a lawyer, asked [him a question], tempting him, and saying,
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