Luke Chapter 6 · Verse 7
And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him.
Original Language Analysis
παρετήρουν
watched
G3906
παρετήρουν
watched
Strong's:
G3906
Word #:
1 of 17
to inspect alongside, i.e., note insidiously or scrupulously
αὐτοῦ
against him
G846
αὐτοῦ
against him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 17
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
6 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Φαρισαῖοι
Pharisees
G5330
Φαρισαῖοι
Pharisees
Strong's:
G5330
Word #:
8 of 17
a separatist, i.e., exclusively religious; a pharisean, i.e., jewish sectary
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σαββάτῳ
the sabbath day
G4521
σαββάτῳ
the sabbath day
Strong's:
G4521
Word #:
12 of 17
the sabbath (i.e., shabbath), or day of weekly repose from secular avocations (also the observance or institution itself); by extension, a se'nnight,
θεραπεύσει
he would heal
G2323
θεραπεύσει
he would heal
Strong's:
G2323
Word #:
13 of 17
to wait upon menially, i.e., (figuratively) to adore (god), or (specially) to relieve (of disease)
Cross References
Mark 3:2And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him.Luke 20:20And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.Luke 13:14And 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.
Historical Context
The scribes (γραμματεῖς, grammateis) were Torah experts and legal scholars; Pharisees (Φαρισαῖοι, Pharisaioi) were the separatist party zealous for oral tradition. Together they formed the religious establishment. Their Sabbath regulations permitted saving life in emergencies but prohibited healing non-life-threatening conditions. They would later accuse Jesus before Pilate using similar surveillance tactics (Luke 23:2, 10), showing this was their consistent method—watching to destroy rather than learning to worship.
Questions for Reflection
- How can religious observance become a means of condemning grace rather than celebrating it?
- Are you watching Jesus to learn from him, or to find fault with how he works in ways that challenge your traditions?
Analysis & Commentary
And the scribes and Pharisees watched him (παρετηροῦντο, paretērounto)—the Greek carries the sense of malicious surveillance, watching closely with hostile intent. They weren't seeking truth but an accusation against him (κατηγορίαν, katēgorian), legal grounds for prosecution. The question whether he would heal on the sabbath day reveals their hardened hearts—they anticipated Jesus would show mercy, and they prepared to weaponize compassion against him.
This demonstrates how religious externalism corrupts the soul. They transformed the Sabbath, meant as a gift of rest and worship, into a trap for the Son of God. Their watching (τηρέω, tēreō) contrasts with keeping God's commandments—they kept the letter while violating the spirit.