Bible Strands
Luke 6:7
Looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, the scribes and Pharisees were watching Him closely to see if He would heal on the Sabbath.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus teaches in a synagogue on a Sabbath while a man with a withered right hand stands present. The scribes and Pharisees observe Him intently to determine if He will perform a healing on that day.
The words — The Greek verb παρετηροῦντο (paretērounto) literally means "were closely watching" or "were keeping a strict watch." It conveys the hostile scrutiny applied by the religious leaders against Jesus.
The thread — This pattern of hostile observation appears in Luke 20:20, where opponents watch Jesus closely to trap Him in His words. It echoes the psalmist’s description of the wicked lying in wait for the righteous in Psalms 37:32 and Psalms 38:12.
Why it lands — It demands recognition that Jesus’ authority operates independently of human religious restrictions. The text requires readers to see that divine compassion overrides legalistic monitoring.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him.
Cross-references
- Luke 20:20 So they watched Him closely and sent spies who pretended to be sincere. They were hoping to catch Him in His words in order to hand Him over to the rule and authority of the governor.
- Psalms 37:32 Though the wicked lie in wait for the righteous, and seek to slay them,
- Psalms 38:12 Those who seek my life lay snares; those who wish me harm speak destruction, plotting deceit all day long.
- Mark 3:2 In order to accuse Jesus, they were watching to see if He would heal on the Sabbath.
- Luke 11:53 As Jesus went on from there, the scribes and Pharisees began to oppose Him bitterly and to ply Him with questions about many things,
- Luke 13:14 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.”
- John 5:10 so the Jews said to the man who had been healed, “This is the Sabbath! It is unlawful for you to carry your mat.”
- John 9:26 “What did He do to you?” they asked. “How did He open your eyes?”
- Isaiah 29:21 those who indict a man with a word, who ensnare the mediator at the gate, and who with false charges deprive the innocent of justice.
- Jeremiah 20:10 For I have heard the whispering of many: “Terror is on every side! Report him; let us report him!” All my trusted friends watch for my fall: “Perhaps he will be deceived so that we may prevail against him and take our vengeance upon him.”