Luke 14:3

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}?

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 14:3 captures a pivotal moment during a Sabbath meal at a Pharisee's house, where Jesus, observing a man afflicted with dropsy and sensing the scrutinizing gaze of the religious experts, preemptively challenges the lawyers and Pharisees with a direct question: "Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day?" This provocative inquiry immediately shifts the dynamic, exposing the rigid legalism of His opponents and setting the stage for a profound demonstration of divine compassion over human tradition, highlighting Jesus' authority and His understanding of God's true intent for the Sabbath.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at the beginning of [Luke 14](/luke/14 "Luke 14 - Parables and Teachings on Humility and Cost of Discipleship"), following Jesus's journey through various towns and teachings. The immediate preceding verses ([Luke 14:1-2](/luke/14-1-2 "Luke 14:1-2 - Jesus at a Pharisee's House on the Sabbath")) establish the setting: Jesus is dining at the home of a prominent Pharisee on the Sabbath, and a man suffering from dropsy is present. The atmosphere is tense, as the lawyers and Pharisees are "watching Him closely" (Luke 14:1), indicating their intent to find fault. Jesus's question in Luke 14:3 is a direct response to this unspoken scrutiny, leading into His subsequent healing of the man ([Luke 14:4](/luke/14-4 "Luke 14:4 - Jesus Heals the Man with Dropsy")) and a further parable defending His actions ([Luke 14:5-6](/luke/14-5-6 "Luke 14:5-6 - Jesus's Defense of Sabbath Healing")). This incident is one of several Sabbath controversies recorded in the Gospels, underscoring a recurring tension between Jesus and the religious establishment regarding the proper interpretation of God's law.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Sabbath, a cornerstone of Jewish life, was observed from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday, commemorating God's rest after creation and Israel's deliverance from Egyptian bondage. While the Mosaic Law provided general guidelines for Sabbath observance (e.g., no work), by Jesus's time, the Pharisees had developed an elaborate system of oral traditions (Halakha) that meticulously defined what constituted "work" and thus what was forbidden. These traditions often prioritized ritualistic adherence over human need, leading to an overly burdensome and legalistic interpretation. Healing, unless life-threatening, was generally considered "work" and therefore prohibited. "Lawyers" (nomikoi) were experts in this Mosaic Law and its intricate oral traditions, often aligned with the Pharisees in their strict interpretations. Dropsy (hydrops) was a severe medical condition involving abnormal fluid retention, causing significant swelling and discomfort, which would have been visibly apparent and a source of great suffering for the afflicted man.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel and the broader New Testament. Firstly, it highlights **Jesus's Divine Authority and Wisdom**. Rather than being trapped by their watchful eyes, Jesus takes the initiative, demonstrating His superior understanding of God's law and His ability to expose the flaws in their reasoning. His question asserts His prerogative to interpret and apply the Law, consistent with His role as the [Lord of the Sabbath](/mark/2-28 "Mark 2:28 - Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath"). Secondly, it underscores the profound **Conflict Between Mercy and Legalism**. Jesus consistently champions compassion and human well-being over rigid, man-made rules, challenging the Pharisees' prioritization of tradition over the spirit of the Law. This tension is central to understanding Jesus's ministry and His critique of the religious establishment, as seen in His teachings on the [greatest commandment](/matthew/22-37-40 "Matthew 22:37-40 - The Greatest Commandment"). Finally, the incident reveals the **Hypocrisy of the Religious Leaders**. Their primary concern was not the suffering man or God's glory, but rather catching Jesus in a perceived transgression, exposing their judgmental and self-righteous attitudes, a theme Jesus frequently addresses, for example, in His [woes against the Pharisees](/luke/11-37-54 "Luke 11:37-54 - Woes to the Pharisees and Lawyers").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **lawful (Greek, _éxesti'_):** From G1832, this term impersonally signifies "it is right," "it is permitted," or "it is proper," often in a legal or moral sense. Jesus uses this word, deeply embedded in the legalistic framework of the lawyers and Pharisees, to challenge their very understanding of what is permissible under God's law. By asking if healing is "lawful," Jesus forces them to confront whether their stringent interpretations align with divine righteousness or merely human tradition.
* **to heal (Greek, _therapeúō'_):** From G2323, this verb means "to wait upon menially," "to adore (God)," or "to relieve (of disease)." In this context, it specifically refers to the act of curing or restoring health. Jesus's choice of this word emphasizes the compassionate and restorative nature of His action, directly contrasting it with the Pharisees' restrictive view of Sabbath activity. Healing is presented not as a form of labor, but as an act of service and mercy.
* **sabbath day (Greek, _sábbaton'_):** From G4521, this term refers to the weekly day of repose from secular avocations, the Sabbath, or the institution itself. It signifies a sacred time for rest and worship, intended for human flourishing and connection with God. Jesus's question directly addresses the core of the Sabbath's purpose, challenging the prevailing notion that acts of mercy and healing violated its sanctity. He implies that true Sabbath keeping should involve acts of goodness, not merely abstention from work.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying,"**: This clause establishes Jesus's proactive stance. He doesn't wait to be accused but "answers" their unspoken thoughts and intentions, demonstrating His omniscience and authority. The phrase "spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees" highlights that His question is directed at the very authorities who would judge Him, turning the tables on them. This is not a casual remark but a deliberate, confrontational challenge.
* **"‹Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day?›"**: This is the core of Jesus's challenge, posed as a direct rhetorical question. By asking if it is "lawful" (ἔξεστιν), Jesus uses their own legalistic language, forcing them to consider whether an act of compassion and restoration falls within the bounds of God's true law or their man-made traditions. The question is designed to expose the absurdity of their rigid rules which would prohibit an act of goodness on a day meant for blessing and rest.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 14:3 is rich with literary techniques that amplify its theological message. The most prominent device is the **Rhetorical Question**: "Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day?" Jesus poses a question not to elicit information, but to provoke thought, expose hypocrisy, and challenge prevailing assumptions. The question is designed to be unanswerable by His opponents without either condemning an act of mercy (and thus revealing their lack of compassion) or admitting their legalistic interpretations are flawed (and thus undermining their authority). This creates a powerful moment of **Dramatic Irony**, as the "experts" in the law are rendered silent and unable to respond to a fundamental moral query. Furthermore, there is an implied **Antithesis** between the spirit of the law, which Jesus embodies through healing, and the letter of the law, which the Pharisees rigidly uphold. The entire scene also functions as a **Test Case** or **Trial Scene**, where Jesus, though the one being watched, becomes the examiner, putting His accusers on trial for their hardened hearts and distorted understanding of God's will.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully encapsulates the ongoing theological tension between the spirit and the letter of the law, a central theme in Jesus's ministry. It highlights God's primary concern for human well-being and mercy over rigid adherence to man-made traditions. Jesus consistently demonstrated that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath, asserting His divine authority to interpret and fulfill the Law. His acts of healing on the Sabbath were not transgressions but demonstrations of the Kingdom of God breaking into the present, bringing restoration and challenging the oppressive legalism that had obscured God's loving intent. This incident serves as a microcosm of Jesus's broader mission to reveal the heart of God, which prioritizes love, compassion, and justice.

* [Matthew 12:10-12](/matthew/12-10-12 "Matthew 12:10-12 - Jesus Heals on the Sabbath")
* [Mark 3:4](/mark/3-4 "Mark 3:4 - Jesus Challenges on Sabbath Healing")
* [John 7:23](/john/7-23 "John 7:23 - Circumcision on the Sabbath")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 14:3 serves as a timeless challenge to all believers to examine the motives and methods of their faith. It calls us to prioritize compassion and the genuine well-being of others over rigid adherence to rules or traditions that may, in fact, hinder God's loving purposes. Are our "rules" and "traditions" truly serving God's heart for humanity, or have they become stumbling blocks to grace and mercy? Jesus's bold question forces us to confront our own potential for legalism, reminding us that true righteousness is not found in outward conformity but in inward transformation that manifests as love, justice, and humility. We are called to embody the liberating spirit of the Gospel, extending grace and healing to a broken world, rather than erecting barriers of judgment and condemnation. Our faith should be a source of life and freedom, reflecting the character of the God who is rich in mercy.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or faith community might I be prioritizing human tradition or rigid rules over genuine compassion and mercy?**
* **How can I better align my actions and attitudes with the "spirit of the law" – love for God and neighbor – rather than merely the "letter of the law"?**
* **When faced with a choice between upholding a tradition and extending an act of kindness or healing, which do I tend to prioritize, and why?**

### FAQ

**Why was healing on the Sabbath controversial for the Pharisees?**

Answer: For the Pharisees, healing on the Sabbath was controversial because they considered it a form of "work," which was strictly prohibited by their interpretation of the Mosaic Law and their extensive oral traditions. While the Torah forbade "work" on the Sabbath, it did not explicitly define all forms of work. Over centuries, the Pharisees developed a complex system of rules, categorizing various activities as forbidden "work." Healing, unless it was a life-threatening emergency, was generally deemed unnecessary labor that could be postponed until a weekday. Jesus's actions directly challenged these man-made interpretations, asserting that acts of mercy and restoring health were not violations but rather expressions of the Sabbath's true purpose, which was to bring blessing and rest, not restriction and suffering. He often pointed out their hypocrisy, noting they would rescue an animal from a pit on the Sabbath, yet condemn healing a person ([Luke 14:5](/luke/14-5 "Luke 14:5 - Jesus's Defense of Sabbath Healing")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 14:3, with Jesus's direct challenge to the religious authorities, powerfully foreshadows His ultimate role as the compassionate Messiah and the fulfillment of God's law. Jesus's question, "Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day?", is more than a legal debate; it is a profound declaration of His identity as the [Lord of the Sabbath](/mark/2-28 "Mark 2:28 - Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath"), who brings true rest and restoration. His subsequent act of healing the man with dropsy demonstrates that His mission is to bring life, not to be bound by human-made restrictions. This anticipates His greater work of spiritual healing, where He, as the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), takes away the sin of the world, offering ultimate rest from the burden of sin and the curse of the law. Through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus provides the definitive answer to the question of what is "lawful" and "good" in God's sight, establishing a new covenant where the law is written on hearts, and grace reigns ([Hebrews 8:10](/hebrews/8-10 "Hebrews 8:10 - The New Covenant")). He is the ultimate physician, whose healing extends beyond physical ailments to the deepest spiritual brokenness, making all things new ([Revelation 21:5](/revelation/21-5 "Revelation 21:5 - God Makes All Things New")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI 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,