Luke 6:7

KJV

And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} the scribes {G1122} and {G2532} Pharisees {G5330} watched {G3906} him {G846}, whether {G1487} he would heal {G2323} on {G1722} the sabbath day {G4521}; that {G2443} they might find {G2147} an accusation {G2724} against him {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The Torah-teachers and P'rushim watched Yeshua carefully to see if he would heal on Shabbat, so that they could accuse him of something.

Berean Standard Bible

Looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, the scribes and Pharisees were watching Him closely to see if He would heal on the Sabbath.

American Standard Version

And the scribes and the Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath; that they might find how to accuse him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 6:7 captures a pivotal moment of intense scrutiny, revealing the adversarial posture of the religious authorities toward Jesus. The scribes and Pharisees, driven by a desire to discredit Him, meticulously observed whether He would perform a healing on the Sabbath, seeking a legal pretext to lodge a formal accusation against His ministry and teachings. This verse sets the stage for a direct confrontation between rigid legalism and divine compassion, underscoring the escalating tension between Jesus and the established religious order.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within a series of Sabbath controversies in Luke's Gospel, immediately preceding Jesus' healing of a man with a withered hand in the synagogue ([Luke 6:8-10](/luke/6-8-10 "Jesus Heals a Man with a Withered Hand")). It follows directly from Jesus' declaration of Himself as "Lord of the Sabbath" ([Luke 6:5](/luke/6-5 "Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath")) after His disciples were accused of unlawfully plucking grain on the Sabbath ([Luke 6:1-2](/luke/6-1-2 "Disciples Pluck Grain on the Sabbath")). Luke consistently portrays these confrontations as opportunities for Jesus to reveal His authority and redefine the true purpose of the Sabbath, shifting the focus from burdensome regulations to human need and God's compassionate intent. The repeated emphasis on the Sabbath highlights a central point of contention between Jesus and the religious elite.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Sabbath, observed from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset, was a cornerstone of Jewish life, commemorating God's rest after creation and Israel's deliverance from Egyptian bondage. By the time of Jesus, rabbinic traditions had developed an elaborate system of rules and prohibitions defining what constituted "work" (melakha) on the Sabbath. While healing was generally forbidden unless life-threatening, there were debates about what constituted a life-threatening emergency. The scribes (experts in the Mosaic Law) and Pharisees (a prominent religious sect known for their strict adherence to both written and oral law) considered themselves guardians of these traditions. Their "watching" of Jesus was not out of curiosity but out of a deeply rooted conviction that He was violating sacred law, thereby undermining their authority and the very fabric of their religious society. The synagogue, where this event likely took place, was a public forum, making Jesus' actions highly visible and subject to immediate judgment.
* **Key Themes:** The verse significantly contributes to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel. Firstly, it amplifies the theme of **conflict between Jesus and the religious establishment**, portraying the scribes and Pharisees as increasingly hostile and intent on His downfall. This opposition is a recurring motif, particularly evident in passages like [Luke 5:21](/luke/5-21 "Pharisees Question Jesus' Authority to Forgive Sins") and [Luke 11:53-54](/luke/11-53-54 "Pharisees Plot Against Jesus"). Secondly, it underscores Jesus' **authority over the Law and tradition**, demonstrating His willingness to challenge man-made rules when they obscure God's compassionate heart. His actions consistently prioritize human well-being over rigid legalism, as seen in His teachings on the "good Samaritan" ([Luke 10:25-37](/luke/10-25-37 "The Parable of the Good Samaritan")) and His interactions with outcasts. Finally, the verse highlights the **nature of true righteousness**, contrasting external observance with internal motive and genuine love for God and neighbor.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Scribes (Greek, _grammateús'_):** From *gramma* (a writing), referring to a writer or secretary. In the New Testament context, these were highly educated individuals who specialized in copying, interpreting, and teaching the Mosaic Law. They were revered as experts in the Torah and often held significant influence in Jewish society, serving as legal advisors and religious teachers. Their presence here signifies an official, authoritative scrutiny.
* **Pharisees (Greek, _Pharisaîos'_):** Of Hebrew origin, meaning "separatist." This was a prominent Jewish religious sect known for their strict adherence to the Mosaic Law and their oral traditions (the "tradition of the elders"). They sought to live a life of ritual purity and meticulous observance, often extending the Law's requirements beyond the written text. Their watching of Jesus was rooted in their conviction that His actions, particularly regarding the Sabbath, constituted a violation of divine law and tradition.
* **Watched (Greek, _paratēréō'_):** From *para* (alongside) and *tēreō* (to watch, keep). This verb implies a careful, insidious, or scrupulous observation, often with a hostile intent to find fault or trap someone. It suggests a deliberate, calculated surveillance, not for learning or understanding, but for gathering evidence to accuse. This word reveals the malicious intent behind their presence.
* **Accusation (Greek, _katēgoría'_):** From *katēgoros* (an accuser). This term refers to a formal complaint or criminal charge. The scribes and Pharisees were not merely disagreeing with Jesus; they were actively seeking legal grounds to bring a formal case against Him, likely before the Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish judicial and legislative body. This indicates their desire to legally condemn and silence Him.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the scribes and Pharisees watched him,"**: This opening clause immediately establishes the adversarial context. The presence of both scribes (legal experts) and Pharisees (religious purists) signifies a concerted, authoritative effort to scrutinize Jesus. The verb "watched" (paratēréō) conveys a sense of hostile surveillance, indicating their malicious intent rather than genuine curiosity or a desire to learn. They were not passive observers but active investigators, seeking to find fault.
* **"whether he would heal on the sabbath day;"**: This part specifies the exact object of their intense scrutiny: Jesus' potential act of healing on the Sabbath. For the religious authorities, most forms of healing were considered "work" and thus forbidden on the Sabbath, unless it was a life-threatening emergency. They were setting a trap, knowing Jesus' compassion and His pattern of challenging their rigid interpretations of the Sabbath law. The question "whether" highlights their anticipation and readiness to pounce.
* **"that they might find an accusation against him."**: This final clause explicitly states their ultimate purpose. Their watching and their focus on healing on the Sabbath were not for the sake of upholding God's law in its true spirit, but for the self-serving goal of finding a formal charge (katēgoría) against Jesus. This reveals their deep-seated animosity and their desire to discredit, condemn, and ultimately eliminate Jesus, viewing Him as a threat to their authority and established order.

#### Literary Devices
Luke employs several literary devices in this concise verse to convey its profound tension. The most prominent is **Foreshadowing**, as the hostile observation and the search for an "accusation" clearly anticipate Jesus' eventual trial and crucifixion, where He is indeed formally accused and condemned by these very groups. There is also significant **Irony** at play: the religious leaders, who ostensibly represent God's law and righteousness, are depicted as having malicious intent, seeking to condemn someone for an act of compassion and healing. This highlights the stark contrast between their external piety and their internal corruption. Furthermore, the verse sets up a clear **Antithesis** between the legalistic, rule-bound approach of the scribes and Pharisees and the compassionate, life-giving ministry of Jesus, which will be immediately demonstrated in the subsequent verses. Their "watching" is a form of **Surveillance**, emphasizing their oppressive and judgmental posture.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 6:7 serves as a powerful theological statement about the nature of true righteousness and the dangers of religious legalism. It underscores that God's law, particularly the Sabbath, was intended for human flourishing and not as a burdensome set of rules to oppress or condemn. The Pharisees' actions reveal a profound misunderstanding of God's heart, prioritizing external observance and human tradition over compassion and the well-being of individuals. This verse highlights the tension between the letter of the law and its spirit, a theme central to Jesus' ministry, where He consistently challenged the religious establishment's rigid interpretations that stifled mercy and love. The meticulous, hostile observation of Jesus also foreshadows the ultimate conflict between divine truth and human opposition, revealing the spiritual blindness that can accompany religious zeal devoid of genuine love.

* [Matthew 12:10-14](/matthew/12-10-14 "Jesus Heals on the Sabbath and Confronts the Pharisees")
* [Mark 3:2](/mark/3-2 "Pharisees Watch Jesus on the Sabbath")
* [John 5:16](/john/5-16 "Jews Persecute Jesus for Healing on the Sabbath")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 6:7 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers, urging us to examine the motivations behind our religious practices and our interactions with others. The scribes and Pharisees, though outwardly devout, allowed their zeal for tradition to eclipse God's heart of compassion, leading them to actively seek fault in Jesus rather than celebrating His life-giving power. This serves as a potent warning against legalism, reminding us that rigid adherence to rules, divorced from love and mercy, can become a spiritual trap, blinding us to God's true intentions and hindering His work. We are called to embody the spirit of the law—love for God and neighbor—rather than merely its letter. This verse challenges us to cultivate a heart of grace and understanding, seeking to uplift and heal rather than to condemn or accuse. It compels us to ask if our spiritual scrutiny of others is born of genuine concern or a critical spirit, and whether our faith prioritizes human flourishing as Jesus did.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or faith community might I be prioritizing rigid rules or traditions over compassion and human need?**
* **Am I ever guilty of "watching" others with a critical spirit, seeking to find fault rather than to understand or encourage?**
* **How can I cultivate a heart that reflects Jesus' compassion and grace, especially when interacting with those who might hold different beliefs or practices?**
* **What does this passage teach me about the true purpose of spiritual disciplines and religious observance?**

### FAQ
**Why were the scribes and Pharisees so intent on finding an accusation against Jesus for healing on the Sabbath?**

Answer: The scribes and Pharisees were deeply committed to their interpretation of the Mosaic Law, particularly the Sabbath commands. Over centuries, they had developed an elaborate system of oral traditions that defined what constituted "work" (melakha) on the Sabbath. Healing, unless it was an immediate life-threatening emergency, was generally considered "work" and therefore forbidden. They viewed Jesus' repeated acts of healing on the Sabbath as a direct violation of God's law and their sacred traditions. Their intent was not merely theological disagreement but a desire to find a formal charge (`katēgoría`) against Him, which could lead to His condemnation by religious authorities like the Sanhedrin. They perceived Jesus as a threat to their authority, their interpretation of the Law, and the established religious order, and sought to discredit and eliminate Him. This is evident throughout the Gospels, such as when they plot against Jesus after He performs a miracle on the Sabbath in [John 5:16-18](/john/5-16-18 "Jews Persecute Jesus and Seek to Kill Him").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 6:7, with its depiction of Jesus under hostile scrutiny for an act of compassion, profoundly foreshadows His ultimate fulfillment as the Christ. The scribes and Pharisees, in their legalistic zeal, sought to entrap Jesus, but their very efforts inadvertently set the stage for His greater purpose. Jesus, as the true Lord of the Sabbath ([Luke 6:5](/luke/6-5 "Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath")), consistently demonstrated that God's desire is for mercy, not sacrifice ([Matthew 12:7](/matthew/12-7 "Mercy, Not Sacrifice")). His willingness to heal on the Sabbath, despite the legalistic traps, reveals His divine authority and His unwavering commitment to human flourishing. This act of compassion, which the religious leaders deemed worthy of accusation, ultimately culminates in His greatest act of healing: the atonement on the cross. There, the Lamb of God, who knew no sin, became sin for us ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "Christ Became Sin for Us")), taking upon Himself the ultimate "accusation" of humanity's sin, so that we might be made righteous. The very legalism that sought to condemn Him ultimately paved the way for the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan, demonstrating that true freedom and healing are found not in rigid adherence to rules, but in the liberating grace of Christ's sacrifice ([Galatians 5:1](/galatians/5-1 "Freedom in Christ")).

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 13:14

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 20:20

¶ And they watched [him], and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.

Mark 3:2

And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him.

Luke 11:53

And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge [him] vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things:

Luke 11:54

Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him.

Matthew 26:59

Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;

Matthew 26:60

But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, [yet] found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,