New Testament

Luke 14:5

The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English

At a Glance

In this verse, Jesus challenges the rigid interpretation of the Sabbath laws by asking a rhetorical question.

Author
Luke the physician
Written
Around AD 60-62
Genre
Gospel and history
Original Audience
Gentile Christians (addressed to Theophilus)
CBTClear Bible Translation

Then he said to them, "If your donkey or ox falls into a pit on the Sabbath, wouldn't you immediately pull it out?"

KJVKing James Version

And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day?

Verse Analysis

Plain-English insight for readers

In this verse, Jesus challenges the rigid interpretation of the Sabbath laws by asking a rhetorical question. He points out that if someone’s donkey or ox fell into a pit on the Sabbath, they would not hesitate to rescue it. This highlights the value of compassion and mercy over strict adherence to rules. Jesus is emphasizing that doing good and helping those in need should take precedence, even on a day of rest. The implication is that the Sabbath should not be a burden but a time for kindness and care. By using this example, Jesus teaches that human need and welfare are more important than legalistic observance of the law. This moment illustrates the heart of the law, which is love and compassion, rather than mere rule-following. It invites us to reflect on our priorities and how we can act with kindness, even when it seems inconvenient or against the norm.

Key themes

Related topics

sabbath, compassion, mercy

How to apply Luke 14:5 to your life

This verse encourages us to prioritize compassion over strict rules in our lives. When faced with situations where we can help others, we should act with kindness, even if it means stepping outside of our comfort zones or routines. Our actions should reflect love and care.

Curated for this public verse page. Luke Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick, clear answers about this verse

What does Luke 14:5 mean?

Luke 14:5 highlights Jesus' teaching that compassion should take precedence over strict Sabbath laws. He uses the example of rescuing an animal to illustrate that helping those in need is more important than rigid rule-following.

What is the significance of the Sabbath in Luke 14:5?

In Luke 14:5, the Sabbath is portrayed as a day not just for rest, but for acts of kindness and mercy. Jesus emphasizes that the true purpose of the Sabbath is to prioritize human welfare over legalistic observance.

How does Luke 14:5 relate to compassion?

Luke 14:5 demonstrates that compassion is essential, even on the Sabbath. Jesus argues that if one would rescue an animal in distress, they should also extend that same compassion to people.

What is the main message of Luke 14:5?

The main message of Luke 14:5 is that love and compassion should guide our actions, even when they conflict with established rules. Jesus encourages prioritizing human needs over strict adherence to laws.

The Book of Luke
Book Summary

The Book of Luke

Luke 1: The Births of John the Baptist and Jesus Foretold

In the days of Herod, king of Judaea, a priest named Zacharias serves in the temple. He and his wife Elisabeth are both righteous but have no children because Elisabeth is barren, and they are both old. While Zacharias burns incense, the angel Gabriel appears to him and says Elisabeth will bear a son who is to be named John. The child will be great before the Lord, will drink no wine or strong drink, and will be filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb. He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. Zacharias asks how he can know this, since he and his wife are old. Gabriel says Zacharias will be unable to speak until these things come to pass because he did not believe.

Premium

Unlock the full Luke summary

Continue reading every chapter — themes, structure, and turning points.

The complete summary of Luke — a chapter-by-chapter breakdown covering all 24 chapters.

What you get

Every chapter of Luke summarized in clear, modern English

How each section connects — narrative flow, key themes, and turning points

Permanent access — read anytime, on any device

Best Value

Best value • Save over 90%

or

One-time purchase • Access anytime

ClearBible summaries are proprietary content and may not be copied, republished, or resold.

Checkout works as a guest. After payment, you create an account to claim your unlock.