Luke 6:9
New International Version
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?”

New Living Translation
Then Jesus said to his critics, “I have a question for you. Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?”

English Standard Version
And Jesus said to them, “I ask you, is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to destroy it?”

Berean Standard Bible
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 Literal Bible
Then Jesus said to them, "I ask you whether it is lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy?"

King James Bible
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?

New King James Version
Then Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one thing: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy?”

New American Standard Bible
And Jesus said to them, “I ask you whether it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath or to do harm, to save a life or to destroy it?

NASB 1995
And Jesus said to them, “I ask you, is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath, to save a life or to destroy it?”

NASB 1977
And Jesus said to them, “I ask you, is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good, or to do harm, to save a life, or to destroy it?”

Legacy Standard Bible
And Jesus said to them, “I ask you, is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath, to save a life or to destroy it?”

Amplified Bible
Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you directly: Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath or to do evil, to save a life or to destroy it?”

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

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do what is good or to do what is evil, to save life or to destroy it?”

American Standard Version
And Jesus said unto them, I ask you, is it lawful on the sabbath to do good, or to do harm? to save a life, or to destroy it?

Contemporary English Version
Then Jesus asked, "On the Sabbath should we do good deeds or evil deeds? Should we save someone's life or destroy it?"

English Revised Version
And Jesus said unto them, I ask you, Is it lawful on the sabbath to do good, or to do harm? to save a life, or to destroy it?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then Jesus said to them, "I ask you-what is the right thing to do on a day of worship: to do good or evil, to give a person his health or to destroy it?"

Good News Translation
Then Jesus said to them, "I ask you: What does our Law allow us to do on the Sabbath? To help or to harm? To save someone's life or destroy it?"

International Standard Version
Then Jesus asked them, "I ask you, is it lawful to do good or to do evil on the Sabbath, to save a life or to destroy it?"

Majority Standard Bible
Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you one thing: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?”

NET Bible
Then Jesus said to them, "I ask you, is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath or to do evil, to save a life or to destroy it?"

New Heart English Bible
Then Jesus said to them, "I ask you, is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good, or to do harm? To save a life, or to destroy it?"

Webster's Bible Translation
Then said Jesus to 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?

Weymouth New Testament
Then Jesus said to them, "I put it to you all whether we are allowed to do good on the Sabbath, or to do evil; to save a life, or to destroy it."

World English Bible
Then Jesus said to them, “I will ask you something: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good, or to do harm? To save a life, or to kill?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Then Jesus said to them, “I will question you something: is it lawful on the Sabbaths to do good, or to do evil? To save life or to kill?”

Berean Literal Bible
Then Jesus said to them, "I ask you whether it is lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy?"

Young's Literal Translation
Then said Jesus unto them, 'I will question you something: Is it lawful on the sabbaths to do good, or to do evil? life to save or to kill?'

Smith's Literal Translation
Then said Jesus to them, I will ask you; What is lawful in the sabbath; to do good, or to do evil? to save the life, or destroy.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Then Jesus said to them: I ask you, if it be lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil; to save life, or to destroy?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then Jesus said to them: “I ask you if it is lawful on the Sabbaths to do good, or to do evil? To give health to a life, or to destroy it?”

New American Bible
Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?”

New Revised Standard Version
Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to destroy it?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Jesus said to them, I will ask you, What is lawful to do on the sabbath, that which is good or that which is bad? to save a life or to destroy it?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Yeshua said to them, “I ask you, what is legal on the Sabbath: to do good or evil? To save life or to destroy?”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Then Jesus said to them, I will ask you a question: Which is lawful on the sabbath, to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill?

Godbey New Testament
And Jesus said to them, I will ask you; What is lawful on the Sabbath; to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy?

Haweis New Testament
Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you a question; Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath-day, or to do evil? to preserve life or to destroy it?

Mace New Testament
then said Jesus to them, I will ask you one question, which is the most allowable on the sabbath-day, to do good, or to neglect it? to save a man's life, or to let him perish?

Weymouth New Testament
Then Jesus said to them, "I put it to you all whether we are allowed to do good on the Sabbath, or to do evil; to save a life, or to destroy it."

Worrell New Testament
And Jesus said to them, "I ask you, is it lawful on the sabbath to do good, or to do evil—to save a soul, or to destroy it?"

Worsley New Testament
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 let it be lost?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jesus Heals on the Sabbath
8But Jesus knew their thoughts and said to the man with the withered hand, “Get up and stand among us.” So he got up and stood there. 9Then 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?” 10And after looking around at all of them, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so, and it was restored.…

Cross References
Matthew 12:10-12
and a man with a withered hand was there. In order to accuse Jesus, they asked Him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” / He replied, “If one of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift it out? / How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”

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.

John 7:23
If a boy can be circumcised on the Sabbath so that the law of Moses will not be broken, why are you angry with Me for making the whole man well on the Sabbath?

Matthew 5:17
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them.

Matthew 9:13
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Matthew 23:23
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin. But you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.

Mark 2:27-28
Then Jesus declared, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. / Therefore, the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”

John 5:8-10
Then Jesus told him, “Get up, pick up your mat, and walk.” / Immediately the man was made well, and he picked up his mat and began to walk. Now this happened on the Sabbath day, / so the Jews said to the man who had been healed, “This is the Sabbath! It is unlawful for you to carry your mat.”

Romans 13:10
Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Galatians 5:14
The entire law is fulfilled in a single decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

James 2:8
If you really fulfill the royal law stated in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.

Isaiah 1:17
Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.”

Hosea 6:6
For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

1 Samuel 15:22
But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams.


Treasury of Scripture

Then said Jesus to 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?

Is it.

Luke 14:3
And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day?

Matthew 12:12,13
How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days…

Mark 3:4
And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace.

to save.

Luke 9:56
For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.

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Luke 6
1. Jesus reproves the Pharisees;
12. chooses apostles;
17. heals the diseased;
20. preaches to his disciples before the people: the beattitudes;
27. Love your Enemy
37. Do not Judge
43. A Tree and Its Fruit
46. The House on the Rock














Then Jesus said to them
This phrase introduces a direct statement from Jesus, emphasizing His authority and role as a teacher. The Greek word for "said" is "εἶπεν" (eipen), which is often used in the New Testament to denote authoritative speech. Jesus, as the Son of God, speaks with divine authority, challenging the prevailing interpretations of the law. His words are not just for the immediate audience but resonate through time, calling believers to consider the heart of God's commandments.

I ask you
Here, Jesus employs a rhetorical question, a common teaching method in Jewish tradition. The Greek word "ἐρωτῶ" (erōtō) implies a question that demands reflection and introspection. Jesus is not merely seeking information but is prompting His listeners to engage deeply with the moral and spiritual implications of their beliefs. This approach encourages believers to move beyond legalism and to seek the spirit of the law.

which is lawful on the Sabbath
The term "lawful" translates from the Greek "ἔξεστιν" (exestin), meaning permissible or right. The Sabbath, a day of rest instituted by God, is central to Jewish identity and religious practice. Jesus challenges the Pharisees' strict interpretation of Sabbath laws, urging a return to the original intent of the Sabbath as a day for worship, mercy, and reflection on God's goodness.

to do good or to do evil
This phrase presents a moral dichotomy. The Greek words "ἀγαθοποιῆσαι" (agathopoiēsai) for "to do good" and "κακοποιῆσαι" (kakopoiēsai) for "to do evil" highlight the ethical choices faced by believers. Jesus underscores that the Sabbath should not be an excuse for inaction in the face of suffering. The call to "do good" aligns with the broader biblical mandate to love one's neighbor and act justly.

to save life or to destroy it
The Greek word for "save" is "σῶσαι" (sōsai), which conveys the idea of rescue or deliverance, while "ἀπολέσαι" (apolesai) means to destroy or ruin. Jesus contrasts the life-giving purpose of God's law with the destructive potential of legalism. This statement reflects the heart of the Gospel, which is about salvation and restoration. Jesus' mission is to bring life, and His followers are called to participate in this redemptive work.

Verse 9. - Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it? The sum and substance of the Master's teaching here is - works of love done for the bodies and souls of men never mar or in any way interfere with the holiness of a day of rest. St. Matthew in his account of the plucking the ears of corn on the sabbath day (Matthew 12:5), tells us, on that occasion Jesus asked how it was that the priests on the sabbath days profaned the sabbath and were blameless? The Jews in later days used to declare, perhaps in answer to Jesus Christ's famous question here, "that in the temple was there no sabbatism." Now, the Lord pressed home to those who listened to his voice the great truth that in all labours of love, of pity, and of kindness, done anywhere, there was no sabbatism.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Then
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

Jesus
Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.

said
εἶπεν (eipen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

to
πρὸς (pros)
Preposition
Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.

them,
αὐτούς (autous)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

“I ask
Ἐπερωτῶ (Eperōtō)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1905: To interrogate, question, demand of. From epi and erotao; to ask for, i.e. Inquire, seek.

you,
ὑμᾶς (hymas)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

which
εἰ (ei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.

is lawful
ἔξεστιν (exestin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1832: It is permitted, lawful, possible.

on the
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Sabbath:
σαββάτῳ (sabbatō)
Noun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4521: The Sabbath, a week.

to do good
ἀγαθοποιῆσαι (agathopoiēsai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 15: To do that which is good. From agathopoios; to be a well-doer.

or
(ē)
Conjunction
Strong's 2228: Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.

to do evil,
κακοποιῆσαι (kakopoiēsai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 2554: To do harm, do wrong, do evil, commit sin. From kakopoios; to be a bad-doer, i.e. to injure, or to sin.

to save
σῶσαι (sōsai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 4982: To save, heal, preserve, rescue. From a primary sos; to save, i.e. Deliver or protect.

life
ψυχὴν (psychēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5590: From psucho; breath, i.e. spirit, abstractly or concretely.

or
(ē)
Conjunction
Strong's 2228: Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.

to destroy [it]?”
ἀπολέσαι (apolesai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 622: From apo and the base of olethros; to destroy fully, literally or figuratively.


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