Luke 6 7

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.

Luke 6:7 nkjv

So the scribes and Pharisees watched Him closely, whether He would heal on the Sabbath, that they might find an accusation against Him.

Luke 6:7 niv

The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath.

Luke 6:7 esv

And the scribes and the Pharisees watched him, to see whether he would heal on the Sabbath, so that they might find a reason to accuse him.

Luke 6:7 nlt

The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees watched Jesus closely. If he healed the man's hand, they planned to accuse him of working on the Sabbath.

Luke 6 verses

Luke 6 7 Meaning

Luke 6:7 reveals the antagonistic posture of the scribes and Pharisees towards Jesus, meticulously observing His actions on the Sabbath with the deliberate intent of finding legal grounds to accuse Him. Their motivation was not to seek truth or healing, but to trap Jesus within their stringent interpretation of the Mosaic Law, particularly regarding permissible activities on the Sabbath, so they could undermine His authority and ministry.

Luke 6 7 Context

Luke 6:7 is nestled within a section of Jesus' ministry characterized by escalating conflict with the Jewish religious authorities, particularly over the interpretation and application of the Sabbath law. Immediately preceding this verse (Luke 6:1-5), Jesus defended His disciples' actions of plucking grain on the Sabbath, declaring Himself "Lord of the Sabbath." This prior incident already established the tension. The act of the scribes and Pharisees "watching" Jesus in Luke 6:7 directly precedes Jesus' healing of a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath (Luke 6:8-10). Their observation was not born of curiosity or a desire to learn, but rather a pre-meditated effort to find grounds to condemn Him, revealing their rigid legalism and rejection of Jesus' authority and compassionate actions. Historically, the scribes and Pharisees represented distinct but often allied groups: scribes were legal experts, interpreters of the Law; Pharisees were a lay movement committed to meticulous adherence to the Mosaic Law and the traditions of the elders. Both groups held significant religious and social influence in 1st-century Jewish society and viewed Jesus' interpretations and actions, especially concerning the Sabbath, as direct challenges to their authority and understanding of God's law.

Luke 6 7 Word analysis

• And: Greek "καὶ" (kai). Connects this observation directly to the preceding Sabbath controversy, implying a continued, deliberate monitoring of Jesus' activities.

• the scribes: Greek "οἱ γραμματεῖς" (hoi grammateis). Refers to the legal scholars and interpreters of the Jewish Law, trained in both the written Torah and the vast body of oral tradition. They held significant religious authority.

• and Pharisees: Greek "καὶ Φαρισαῖοι" (kai Pharisaios). A prominent religious and political group known for their strict adherence to the Law, including meticulous observance of dietary laws, ritual purity, and especially the Sabbath. They often prioritized their extensive oral traditions over the spirit of the written Law.

• watched: Greek "παρετηροῦντο" (pareterounto). This verb is significant. It's in the imperfect tense, suggesting a continuous or repeated action, indicating a deliberate, sustained, and often malicious observation, lying in wait. It implies careful, hostile scrutiny, looking for flaws or a chance to trap.

• him: Refers to Jesus, the object of their intense, malevolent surveillance.

• whether he would heal: Greek "εἰ θεραπεύει" (ei therapeuei). The verb "θεραπεύει" (therapeuei) means "to heal" or "to serve" (as in attend to a sick person). Their anticipation reveals their knowledge of Jesus' previous healing miracles and their awareness that such an act could be considered "work" under their stringent Sabbath interpretation.

• on the sabbath day: Greek "ἐν τῷ σαββάτῳ" (en tō sabbatō). The weekly day of rest consecrated to the Lord (Exod 20:8-11). Jewish traditions had developed complex rules (halakhah) regarding what constituted "work" (melakha) on the Sabbath, often including acts of healing unless a life was in imminent danger. Their rigid interpretation sought to limit compassionate acts of healing on this day.

• that they might find: Greek "ἵνα εὕρωσιν" (hina heurōsin). The purpose clause, showing their clear, intentional goal. "Εὕρωσιν" (heurōsin) means to "find" or "discover," indicating their active search.

• an accusation: Greek "κατηγορίαν" (katēgorian). A formal charge or accusation, particularly in a legal context. Their objective was to gather evidence to bring legal action against Jesus, perhaps before a religious court (the Sanhedrin) or even Roman authorities, for violating what they deemed the Law.

• against him: "κατ᾿ αὐτοῦ" (kat' autou). Emphasizes that the accusation was specifically targeting Jesus personally.

• the scribes and Pharisees watched him: This phrase underscores the unity of these two influential groups in their opposition to Jesus. Their watching was not passive curiosity but an active, vigilant, and hostile surveillance. It reflects a pre-meditated plot against Jesus.

• whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him: This combined clause reveals their ultimate purpose: to use a compassionate act of healing as legal grounds for an accusation. Their priority was maintaining their strict, man-made interpretations of the Sabbath over compassion and the well-being of people. This setup also highlights the deliberate test they were imposing on Jesus. They anticipated Jesus would heal because they knew His character, and they were prepared to condemn Him for it, twisting an act of mercy into a criminal offense. This portrays a direct challenge to Jesus' authority and their own self-righteousness.

Luke 6 7 Bonus section

The precise wording "παρετηροῦντο" (pareterounto) indicates a continuous, critical, and often antagonistic form of observation, setting it apart from a neutral "watching." It carries the connotation of a hostile "lying in wait," suggesting a predatory vigilance. This hostile observation sets the stage for a dramatic confrontation. Jesus was fully aware of their malevolent intent, yet He chose to proceed with the healing, knowing it would provoke them. This demonstrates Jesus' divine courage and His commitment to God's redemptive will, even when it led Him into direct opposition with powerful figures. It underscores His sovereignty and authority over the Sabbath itself, revealing His compassionate nature is higher than rigid, man-made regulations. This act, initiated by the Pharisees' observation, ultimately highlighted their blindness and hard-heartedness, as they were filled with rage rather than joy at a man's healing (Luke 6:11).

Luke 6 7 Commentary

Luke 6:7 serves as a crucial transition in Jesus' escalating conflict with the religious authorities, vividly illustrating the depth of their animosity. The scribes and Pharisees, positioned as watchful adversaries, embodied the spirit of legalism that elevated meticulous adherence to the letter of the law and traditions above divine mercy and human need. Their "watching" (παρετηροῦντο) was not neutral observation but a calculated, hostile surveillance, demonstrating their intent to find a pretext for formal charges. They already suspected Jesus' inclination to heal on the Sabbath, based on His consistent demonstration of compassion and His radical understanding of the Sabbath's true purpose, which they viewed as a challenge to their interpretive authority.

Their aim to "find an accusation" (κατηγορίαν) exposes their hardened hearts and their rejection of God's compassionate will. For them, a miraculous act of restoration, a work of God's power through Jesus, was not cause for wonder or praise, but for condemnation. This verse encapsulates the foundational tension in the Gospels: the clash between Jesus' kingdom ethic of grace and mercy, and the religious establishment's entrenched legalism and desire for control. It highlights that the religious leaders were more concerned with upholding their own traditions and power than with discerning the true will of God or acknowledging divine intervention.

This passage is not just a historical account; it speaks to the dangers of rigid adherence to human interpretations that neglect the spirit of the law, which is love (Matt 22:37-40). It cautions against a self-righteous scrutiny that seeks to condemn rather than to understand or embrace God's work. Jesus, in the subsequent verses (Luke 6:8-10), confronts this malice directly, showing His perfect awareness of their intent and choosing to act according to God's heart rather than yielding to their pressure.

Examples:

• A Christian community becoming so rigid in rules that they fail to show compassion to an outcast.
• Someone watching a person with good intentions, hoping they "slip up" so they can criticize them, rather than appreciating their good work.
• Prioritizing ritualistic practices over acts of practical help and charity for those in need.