New Testament

Luke 6:9

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 religious leaders about the true meaning of the Sabbath.

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

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?"

KJVKing James Version

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?

Verse Analysis

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

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.

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.