Luke 6:9
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?
Luke 6:9
In Luke 6:9, Jesus directly addresses the contentious issue: is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it? The question forms a deliberate challenge to the leaders: if healing is considered “work,” then perhaps Israel’s legal system has misdefined mercy. Jesus’ probing question places the emphasis on the intention behind actions. The moment is not merely about whether healing is permitted; it’s about what God’s will looks like on earth—restoration, mercy, and saving life. The Pharisees’ response to this question would reveal whether they prioritize a rule-bound ethic over the well-being of a person. Luke uses this encounter to illustrate a core Gospel motif: Jesus redefines righteousness in terms of love and life, not mere ritual compliance.
Theologically, the verse sharpens the contrast between legalism and grace. It signals that the Kingdom’s criteria for righteous action center on good, life-affirming outcomes. The question also previews Jesus’ overarching mission to bring salvation, healing, and redirection from death-producing systems to life-giving relationships with God. It foreshadows Jesus’ own instructions about what the Sabbath means: delighting in God, loving neighbor, and doing good, even when those acts cross human conventions.
In contemporary life, we can mirror this exposure of misplaced priorities. When faced with a tough moral decision on a Sabbath-like boundary (time, resources, or personal plans), ask whether the choice serves life and well-being. Examples: supporting a sick coworker, helping a neighbor in crisis, or choosing to intervene in a situation of injustice rather than remaining neutral. The practice is not reckless disregard for boundaries but a deliberate prioritization of mercy. It can be operationalized in simple habits: scheduling time to check in on someone who is isolated, offering financial or practical help to someone in need, or volunteering on a day that aligns with compassionate service.
Cross-References: Exodus 20:8-11; Isaiah 58:6-7; Luke 14:13-14; Matthew 12:9-14; Acts 3:6-8