IS IT LAWFUL TO HEAL ON THE SABBATH?

Passage: Luke 14:1-6

Key verse: 4

NIV

Jesus at a Pharisee’s House(A)

14 One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee,(B) he was being carefully watched.(C) 2 There in front of him was a man suffering from abnormal swelling of his body. 3 Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law,(D) “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?”(E) 4 But they remained silent. So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him on his way.

5 Then he asked them, “If one of you has a child[a] or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull it out?”(F) 6 And they had nothing to say.

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Footnotes
  1. Luke 14:5 Some manuscripts donkey
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Healing of a Man on the Sabbath

14 One Sabbath, (A)when he went to dine at the house of a ruler of the Pharisees, they were (B)watching him carefully. 2 And behold, there was a man before him who had dropsy. 3 And Jesus responded to (C)the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, (D)“Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?” 4 But they remained silent. Then he took him and healed him and sent him away. 5 And he said to them, (E)“Which of you, having a son[a] or an ox that has fallen into a well on a Sabbath day, will not immediately pull him out?” 6 (F)And they could not reply to these things.

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Footnotes
  1. Luke 14:5 Some manuscripts a donkey
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. A failed trap (1-4a).

It was no coincidence that the Pharisees, Jesus, and a sick man were all in the same place on the Sabbath. The Pharisees were trying to trap Jesus. They knew he couldn’t resist healing the man on the Sabbath. They made sure the man was right there in front of Jesus and then watched carefully to see what Jesus would do. However, they were no match for our Lord’s wisdom and grace. Jesus saw through their ploy and responded, '’Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?’' If they said, 'Yes,' then what was the problem? But if they said, 'No,' they would be exposing themselves as hypocrites because everyone knew they would save their own children or animals on the Sabbath if they had to. They had no answer for Jesus’ question.

2. Jesus heals the man (4b-6).

In verse 4b, we read how Jesus did three wonderful things for the man. First, Jesus had compassion on the man and took hold of him. Second, Jesus healed the man. This healing was but a taste of the healing that is available to all who call upon his name. Third, Jesus freed him from his shame and condemnation and sent him off with a new life, a new hope, and a new purpose. Yet, the Pharisees remained silent. They should have repented and sought his mercy.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, your love is bold and courageous.

One Word: Watch Jesus with spiritual eyes