Luke Chapter 6 · Verse 9
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?
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
4 of 19
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
5 of 19
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
αὐτούς
them
G846
αὐτούς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 19
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
τί
one thing
G5101
τί
one thing
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
9 of 19
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
ἔξεστιν
Is it lawful
G1832
ἔξεστιν
Is it lawful
Strong's:
G1832
Word #:
10 of 19
so also ???? <pronunciation strongs="ex-on'"/> neuter present participle of the same (with or without some form of g1510 expressed); impersonally, it
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σάββασιν,
on the sabbath days
G4521
σάββασιν,
on the sabbath days
Strong's:
G4521
Word #:
12 of 19
the sabbath (i.e., shabbath), or day of weekly repose from secular avocations (also the observance or institution itself); by extension, a se'nnight,
κακοποιῆσαι
to do evil
G2554
κακοποιῆσαι
to do evil
Strong's:
G2554
Word #:
15 of 19
to be a bad-doer, i.e., (objectively) to injure, or (genitive) to sin
ψυχὴν
life
G5590
ψυχὴν
life
Strong's:
G5590
Word #:
16 of 19
breath, i.e., (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from g4151, wh
Historical Context
Rabbinic debate centered on what constituted permissible Sabbath activity. The principle pikuach nefesh (saving life) permitted Sabbath violation for life-threatening emergencies, but the Pharisees didn't consider this man's condition life-threatening. Jesus elevated the standard from emergency intervention to positive good—the Sabbath should be a day for doing good actively, not merely avoiding harm. This radical ethic transcended their casuistry.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus' question challenge the false neutrality of refusing to do good when we have opportunity and power?
- What situations tempt you to hide behind rules rather than extending mercy and doing active good?
Analysis & Commentary
Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it? (ψυχὴν σῶσαι ἢ ἀπολέσαι, psychēn sōsai ē apolesai)—Jesus reframes the debate with penetrating logic. The choice isn't between healing and doing nothing; it's between doing good (agathopoiēsai, ἀγαθοποιῆσαι) and doing evil (kakopoiēsai, κακοποιῆσαι). By this standard, refusing to heal when able is equivalent to destruction. To withhold good is to commit evil; neutrality is impossible.
The phrase to save life or to destroy it (σῶσαι ψυχήν, sōsai psychēn) carries both physical and spiritual meaning—psychē means life/soul. While they plotted his destruction (v. 11), Jesus offered salvation. The question exposed their hearts: they would rather destroy Jesus than see a man healed.