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Luke 13:14

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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.

And {G1161} the ruler of the synagogue {G752} answered {G611} with indignation {G23}, because {G3754} that Jesus {G2424} had healed {G2323} on the sabbath {G4521} day, and said {G3004} unto the people {G3793}, There are {G1526} six {G1803} days {G2250} in {G1722} which {G3739} men ought {G1163} to work {G2038}: in {G1722} them {G5025} therefore {G3767} come {G2064} and be healed {G2323}, and {G2532} not {G3361} on the sabbath {G4521} day {G2250}.

But the president of the synagogue, indignant that Yeshua had healed on Shabbat, spoke up and said to the congregation, “There are six days in the week for working; so come during those days to be healed, not on Shabbat!”

But the synagogue leader was indignant that Jesus had healed on the Sabbath. “There are six days for work,” he told the crowd. “So come and be healed on those days and not on the Sabbath.”

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

Commentary

Commentary on Luke 13:14 (KJV)

Luke 13:14 captures a moment of intense conflict between Jesus and the religious authorities over the proper observance of the Sabbath day. This verse specifically records the indignant reaction of the ruler of the synagogue after Jesus healed a woman who had been crippled for eighteen years (Luke 13:10-13).

Historical and Cultural Context

The Sabbath, a cornerstone of Jewish life, was ordained by God as a day of rest and worship, commemorating both creation and deliverance from slavery in Egypt (Exodus 20:8-11). Over centuries, however, rabbinic traditions and interpretations had multiplied, creating a complex web of rules and prohibitions surrounding what was permissible on the Sabbath. Healing, unless it was a life-threatening emergency, was generally considered "work" and thus forbidden. The ruler's response reflects the rigid legalism prevalent among many Jewish leaders of the time, who prioritized strict adherence to these man-made traditions over acts of compassion and mercy.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Legalism vs. Compassion: The most striking theme is the clash between rigid legalism and divine compassion. The ruler's "indignation" (Greek: aganakteo, meaning strong displeasure or annoyance) stems from his adherence to the letter of the law, which blinds him to the miraculous healing and the woman's newfound freedom. He cares more about the violation of a ritualistic rule than the restoration of a human being.
  • Misplaced Priorities: The ruler's public rebuke, directed at the people rather than Jesus directly, reveals his misdirected priorities. He suggests that healing is only for the "six days in which men ought to work," implying that God's mercy and power are somehow limited by human schedules.
  • Hypocrisy: While not explicitly stated as hypocrisy in this verse, Jesus' subsequent response (Luke 13:15-16) exposes the ruler's inconsistency, as he would untie his ox or donkey and lead it to water on the Sabbath. This highlights a common issue in Jesus' ministry: religious leaders often applied their rules selectively, prioritizing their own comfort or property over the welfare of others, a pattern Jesus often challenged (Matthew 23:23).
  • Jesus' Authority Over the Sabbath: Jesus consistently demonstrated His authority over the Sabbath, not by abolishing it, but by revealing its true purpose: to bring rest and healing, not to burden people with unnecessary restrictions. His actions here align with His declaration that "The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath."

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder for believers today to guard against legalism and to prioritize compassion and mercy in our faith. We must be careful not to create man-made rules or traditions that overshadow the core principles of God's love and grace. The ruler's indignation illustrates the danger of allowing rigid interpretations to harden our hearts towards the needs of others. True faith is characterized by love, freedom, and a desire to see God's healing and restorative power at work, regardless of the day or circumstance.

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 (May 20, 2025) 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

  • Exodus 20:9 (7 votes)

    Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:

  • John 9:14 (5 votes)

    And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes.

  • John 9:16 (5 votes)

    Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.

  • Matthew 12:2 (5 votes)

    But when the Pharisees saw [it], they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.

  • Luke 6:7 (4 votes)

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

  • John 5:15 (4 votes)

    The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.

  • John 5:16 (4 votes)

    And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.