Luke 14:5

KJV

And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day?

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} answered {G611} them {G4314}{G846}, saying {G2036}, Which {G5101} of you {G5216} shall have an ass {G3688} or {G2228} an ox {G1016} fallen {G1706} into {G1519} a pit {G5421}, and {G2532} will {G385} not {G3756} straightway {G2112} pull {G385} him {G846} out {G385} on {G1722} the sabbath {G4521} day {G2250}?

Complete Jewish Bible

To them he said, “Which of you, if a son or an ox falls into a well, will hesitate to haul him out on Shabbat?”

Berean Standard Bible

And He asked them, “Which of you whose son or ox falls into a pit on the Sabbath day will not immediately pull him out?”

American Standard Version

And he said unto them, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a well, and will not straightway draw him up on a sabbath day?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Luke 14:5, Jesus masterfully employs a rhetorical question to challenge the legalistic interpretations of the Sabbath held by the religious leaders, exposing their hypocrisy and prioritizing the principle of compassion and human welfare over rigid adherence to external rules. This verse serves as a pivotal moment in the narrative, revealing Jesus' consistent emphasis on the spirit of the law over its letter, particularly when it concerns acts of mercy and the alleviation of suffering.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a broader narrative in [Luke 14](/luke/14 "Luke 14 - Jesus at the Pharisee's House"), where Jesus is dining at the house of a prominent Pharisee on the Sabbath. The atmosphere is one of scrutiny, as the religious leaders are closely observing Jesus, particularly regarding His actions on the Sabbath. Immediately preceding this verse, Jesus had healed a man suffering from dropsy, an act that directly challenged their Sabbath regulations ([Luke 14:2-4](/luke/14-2-4 "Luke 14:2-4 - Jesus Heals on the Sabbath")). When Jesus asked if it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath and they remained silent, He proceeded to heal the man. His question in [Luke 14:5](/luke/14-5 "Luke 14:5 - Jesus' Rhetorical Question on the Sabbath") is a direct, incisive counter-argument, designed to expose the inconsistency of their own practices and the flawed logic of their legalistic interpretations. It underscores His authority and wisdom in navigating contentious issues.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Sabbath, a cornerstone of Jewish law, was originally given as a day of rest and worship, commemorating God's rest after creation and Israel's deliverance from slavery ([Exodus 20:8-11](/exodus/20-8-11 "Exodus 20:8-11 - The Fourth Commandment")). Over centuries, particularly during the Second Temple period, elaborate oral traditions and interpretations (Halakha) developed around the Sabbath, defining what constituted "work" and thus was forbidden. These interpretations, often meticulously detailed by the Pharisees, sometimes overshadowed the original intent of the law—to be a blessing and a day of humanitarian concern. Rescuing an animal from a pit was a recognized exception to Sabbath work, often justified by economic necessity (to prevent loss of valuable livestock) or immediate danger to the animal's life. Jesus leverages this commonly accepted practice to highlight their double standard: if an animal's well-being justified "work" on the Sabbath, how much more a human being's?
* **Key Themes:** The passage in [Luke 14](/luke/14 "Luke 14 - Jesus' Teachings on Humility and the Sabbath") powerfully contributes to several major theological and narrative themes in Luke's Gospel and Jesus' ministry. Firstly, it emphasizes **Mercy Over Ritual**, demonstrating Jesus' consistent prioritization of compassion and human need above rigid adherence to ceremonial law. He reveals that the Sabbath was intended for humanity's benefit, not as a burdensome restriction ([Mark 2:27](/mark/2-27 "Mark 2:27 - The Sabbath Made for Man")). Secondly, Jesus' question directly engages in **Challenging Legalism**, confronting the Pharisees' tendency to elevate human traditions to the level of divine law, thereby missing the heart of God's commands. Their focus was on external compliance rather than internal righteousness and genuine love. Thirdly, the verse powerfully illustrates the **Exposure of Hypocrisy**. By posing a relatable scenario that revealed their own pragmatic actions concerning their possessions, Jesus unmasks the inconsistency of their condemnation of His healing acts. This theme of exposing the hypocrisy of religious leaders is recurrent throughout the Gospels, particularly in Jesus' interactions with the Pharisees ([Matthew 23:23-28](/matthew/23-23-28 "Matthew 23:23-28 - Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **ass (Greek, _ónos'_):** Refers to a donkey, a common beast of burden in ancient Israel, valuable for agricultural work and transportation. The inclusion of the ass alongside the ox highlights that the scenario applies to any significant livestock, underscoring the economic value and practical necessity that would compel owners to act quickly.
* **ox (Greek, _boûs'_):** An ox, a large bovine animal, also crucial for farming (plowing, threshing) and as a source of food. Like the ass, its value meant that its loss would be a significant financial blow to a household, providing a strong motivation for immediate rescue, even on the Sabbath.
* **pull him out (Greek, _anaspáō'_):** This verb means "to take up or extricate." It implies a swift, decisive action to remove something from a difficult or dangerous situation. Coupled with "straightway" (G2112, _euthéōs_), it emphasizes the urgency and lack of hesitation that would characterize such a rescue, directly contrasting with the Pharisees' condemnation of Jesus' immediate act of healing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And answered them, saying,"**: This phrase indicates Jesus' direct and authoritative response to the silent, critical gaze of the religious leaders. It signifies a moment of teaching and confrontation, where Jesus takes the initiative to address their unspoken accusations.
* **"Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit,"**: Jesus poses a hypothetical, yet highly relatable and common, scenario. Pits were a real danger in ancient Palestine, used for water storage or as traps, and animals frequently fell into them. By asking "Which of you," Jesus directly appeals to their personal experience and common sense, implying that their own actions would contradict their condemnation of Him.
* **"and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day?"**: This is the core of Jesus' rhetorical question. It highlights the universal human inclination to act decisively in an emergency, especially when valuable property is at stake. The phrase "straightway pull him out" emphasizes the immediate, non-negotiable nature of the rescue. Jesus points out the inconsistency: if they would perform "work" to save an animal on the Sabbath, why would they condemn Him for saving a human life?

#### Literary Devices
Jesus' statement in [Luke 14:5](/luke/14-5 "Luke 14:5 - Jesus' Rhetorical Question") is rich with literary devices. The primary device is a **Rhetorical Question**, which Jesus uses not to elicit information, but to make a forceful point and expose the illogical nature of His opponents' position. By asking a question to which the answer is self-evident (no one would leave their valuable animal in a pit), He compels them to acknowledge their own inconsistency. This rhetorical question also functions as an **A Fortiori Argument** (from the stronger), implying: "If you would do *this* (rescue an animal), how much more should you do *that* (heal a human being), which is a greater good?" There is also clear **Irony** present, as the very people who claim to uphold God's law are shown to be violating its spirit through their rigid interpretations and lack of compassion. Finally, the verse employs **Contrast** between the value placed on an animal (economic) and the value placed on a human life (spiritual and compassionate), highlighting the Pharisees' misplaced priorities.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 14:5 profoundly illustrates Jesus' consistent teaching that divine law, particularly the Sabbath, is intended for human flourishing and the demonstration of God's mercy, rather than as a rigid set of prohibitions that stifle compassion. Jesus challenges a legalistic mindset that elevates human tradition and external observance above the intrinsic value of human life and the call to act charitably. His argument reveals that true righteousness is not found in meticulous adherence to rules for their own sake, but in a heart that reflects God's own character of love and mercy. This passage underscores the principle that acts of compassion and necessity always take precedence over ceremonial regulations, especially when a life is at stake.

* [Hosea 6:6](/hosea/6-6 "Hosea 6:6 - Mercy, Not Sacrifice")
* [Matthew 12:7](/matthew/12-7 "Matthew 12:7 - Jesus' Teaching on Mercy")
* [Mark 3:4](/mark/3-4 "Mark 3:4 - Is it Lawful to Do Good on the Sabbath?")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 14:5 serves as a powerful and timeless challenge for believers to examine their own hearts and priorities, ensuring that their faith is rooted in genuine compassion and love, rather than becoming entangled in rigid legalism or superficial religiosity. Jesus' question compels us to consider whether our adherence to rules or traditions ever hinders our ability to show mercy, alleviate suffering, or act decisively for the good of others. It calls us to prioritize human well-being and the spirit of God's law over the letter, recognizing that true worship involves actively caring for those in need, even when it might be inconvenient or challenge established norms. This verse encourages a proactive, compassionate faith that is quick to respond to distress, just as one would instinctively rescue a valuable animal from a pit.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be prioritizing rules or traditions over genuine compassion and human need?**
* **How can I cultivate a heart that is quicker to respond to the needs of others, even if it means stepping outside my comfort zone or challenging conventional thinking?**
* **Am I more concerned with outward appearances of piety or with truly reflecting the merciful character of God in my daily actions?**

### FAQ
**Why was rescuing an animal on the Sabbath a point of contention, and how did Jesus use it?**

Answer: While the Sabbath prohibited "work," Jewish oral tradition (Halakha) often made exceptions for situations involving danger or significant economic loss. Rescuing an animal like an ass or an ox that had fallen into a pit was generally considered permissible, often justified by the animal's value and the urgency of the situation. Jesus used this widely accepted practice as a rhetorical device to expose the hypocrisy of His critics. He highlighted that they would readily perform "work" to save their valuable livestock, driven by self-interest or common sense, but would condemn Him for performing an act of pure compassion and healing a human being on the same day. By appealing to their own actions, Jesus underscored that if an animal's life or economic value justified action, a human life, made in God's image, held infinitely greater value and certainly warranted an act of mercy on the Sabbath ([Luke 14:4](/luke/14-4 "Luke 14:4 - Jesus Heals on the Sabbath")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 14:5, with its emphasis on compassion overriding legalistic interpretation of the Sabbath, points directly to Jesus as the fulfillment of God's true intent for the law. As the [Lord of the Sabbath](/mark/2-28 "Mark 2:28 - Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath"), Jesus consistently demonstrated that the Sabbath was made for humanity's benefit, not as a burdensome yoke. His healing ministry, often performed on the Sabbath, was a tangible expression of God's restorative power and mercy breaking into a fallen world ([Luke 13:10-17](/luke/13-10-17 "Luke 13:10-17 - Healing a Crippled Woman on the Sabbath")). In rescuing the man with dropsy and then challenging His critics with the "ass or ox in a pit" analogy, Jesus reveals His divine authority to interpret and embody the law's deepest meaning: love for God and love for neighbor. He is the ultimate rescuer, who "straightway" pulls humanity out of the pit of sin and death, not merely from physical ailments, but from eternal peril, through His sacrificial work on the cross ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). His compassion demonstrated in [Luke 14:5](/luke/14-5 "Luke 14:5 - Jesus' Rhetorical Question") foreshadows His greater work of salvation, where He, motivated by infinite love, delivers us from a far more dangerous pit.

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

Luke 13:15

The Lord then answered him, and said, [Thou] hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or [his] ass from the stall, and lead [him] away to watering?

Exodus 23:4

If thou meet thine enemy's ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again.

Exodus 23:5

If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, and wouldest forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him.

Matthew 12:11

And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift [it] out?

Matthew 12:12

How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.

Daniel 4:24

This [is] the interpretation, O king, and this [is] the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king: