Luke 6:9

Verse

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?”

American Standard Version (1901)

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?

Bible in Basic English

And Jesus said, I put the question to you, Is it right to do good on the Sabbath or to do evil? to give life or to take it away?

Douay-Rheims 1899

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?

Free Bible Version

Then Jesus turned to them and said, “Let me ask you a question. Is it legal to do good on the Sabbath, or to do bad? To save life, or to destroy it?”

Geneva Bible 1599

Then sayd Iesus vnto them, I will aske you a question, Whether is it lawfull on the Sabbath dayes to doe good, or to doe euill? to saue life, or to destroy?

King James (Authorized) 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?

One Unity Resource Bible

Then Yeshua [Salvation] said to them, “I will ask you something: Is it lawful on the Sabbath ·To cease· to do good, or to do harm? To save a life, or to kill?”

Translation for Translators

Then Jesus said to the others, “I ask you this: Do the laws that God gave Moses permit people to do what is good ◄on the Sabbath/on the Jewish rest day►, or do they permit people to harm others? Do they permit us to save a person’s life on our day of rest or to let him die [HYP] by refusing to help him?”

Unlocked Literal Bible

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?”

Noah Webster Bible

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 ?

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?”

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?'

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.

Sermons

Concerning Salvation

G. Campbell Morgan

Summary

In Luke 6:9, Jesus challenges the Pharisees and experts in the law by asking them whether it is lawful to do good or evil on the Sabbath, and to save life or destroy it. This question exposes the hypocrisy of their legalistic approach to the Sabbath, emphasizing the importance of compassion and mercy over rigid adherence to rules. Jesus' words highlight the true intent of God's commandments, which is to promote love, kindness, and the well-being of others, rather than mere observance of religious rituals. This verse serves as a reminder to prioritize acts of goodness and righteousness that reflect God's heart, even above traditional practices or regulations.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill
Tyndale

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

I will ask you one thing - I will put a question to you. See on Mar 3:4, Mar 3:5 (note).