New Testament
Luke 6:9
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Then Jesus said to them, "Let me ask you something: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm? To save a life or to destroy one?"
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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?
What Luke 6:9 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, Jesus challenges the religious leaders about the true meaning of the Sabbath. He asks whether it is right to do good or harm on this holy day. By posing this question, He highlights the importance of compassion and mercy over strict adherence to rules. The Sabbath was intended for rest and worship, but Jesus emphasizes that it should not prevent acts of kindness or saving lives. His question implies that doing good is always lawful, regardless of the day. This moment illustrates Jesus' authority and His mission to redefine the understanding of the law, focusing on love and humanity rather than mere legalism. It serves as a reminder that the spirit of the law is more important than the letter of the law, urging believers to prioritize helping others, especially in times of need, even on sacred days.
How to apply Luke 6:9 to your life
This verse encourages us to prioritize acts of kindness and compassion over rigid rule-following. In our daily lives, we should look for opportunities to help others, even when it may seem inconvenient or against the norm. Love should guide our actions.
Curated for this public verse page. Luke Summary
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Photo: Photochrom print, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (LCCN 2002725045). License: Public domain in the United States; Library of Congress states no known restrictions on publication. Source. Location: Nazareth, Israel; print preserved by the Library of Congress. Resized for the web.
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Keep studying Luke 6:9
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At a Glance — the Book of Luke
- Author
- Luke the physician
- Written
- Around AD 60-62
- Genre
- Gospel and history
- Original Audience
- Gentile Christians (addressed to Theophilus)
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Luke 6:9 mean?
Luke 6:9 shows Jesus questioning the religious leaders about the true purpose of the Sabbath. He asks if it is lawful to do good or harm on this day, emphasizing that compassion and mercy should take precedence over strict rule-following.
What is the meaning of the Sabbath in Luke 6:9?
In Luke 6:9, the Sabbath represents a day of rest and worship. Jesus uses this context to highlight that the Sabbath should not prevent acts of kindness or saving lives, reinforcing that doing good is always appropriate.
How does Luke 6:9 relate to compassion?
Luke 6:9 emphasizes the importance of compassion by questioning whether it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath. Jesus teaches that acts of kindness should not be limited by rules, highlighting the need to prioritize helping others.
What lesson can we learn from Luke 6:9?
The lesson from Luke 6:9 is to prioritize compassion over strict adherence to rules. It encourages us to look for opportunities to help others, even when it may seem inconvenient or against societal norms.
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