Luke 6:9

Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?”

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Jesus addresses the Pharisees and experts in the law immediately after commanding the man with the withered hand to stand among them. He poses a direct question to them while they watch the unfolding situation.

The words — The Greek verb ἐπερωτῶ (eperōtō) literally means "I ask" or "I put a question to," emphasizing a direct inquiry rather than a rhetorical statement. This term frames the subsequent contrast between lawful good and unlawful evil.

The thread — This Sabbath dilemma appears in parallel accounts in Mark 3:4 and Matthew 12:12, and Jesus repeats a similar question about healing in Luke 14:3. Each instance places the legality of mercy against rigid Sabbath observance.

Why it lands — The text forces a choice between preserving life and maintaining ritual restriction, presenting the question as a factual inquiry about Sabbath law. A reader must decide whether to prioritize human need over ceremonial regulation.

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

εἶπενeipenSaid δὲdethen ὁho<the>ἸησοῦςIēsousJesus πρὸςprosto αὐτούς·autousthem;ἐπερωτῶeperōtōI ask ὑμᾶςhumasyou εἰeiif ἔξεστινexestinit is lawful τῷtōon the σαββάτῳsabbatōSabbath ἀγαθοποιῆσαιagathopoiēsaito do good ἢēor κακοποιῆσαι;kakopoiēsaito do evil?ψυχὴνpsuchēnLife σῶσαιsōsaito save ἢēor ἀπολέσαι;apolesaito destroy?

King James Version

Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?

Cross-references

Mark 3:4 And He asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?” But they were silent.
Matthew 12:12 How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”
Luke 14:3 So Jesus asked the experts in the law and the Pharisees, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?”
John 7:19 Has not Moses given you the law? Yet not one of you keeps it. Why are you trying to kill Me?”
Luke 9:56 And He and His disciples went on to another village.

People named

Jesus