Luke 6:2
New International Version
Some of the Pharisees asked, “Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?”

New Living Translation
But some Pharisees said, “Why are you breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath?”

English Standard Version
But some of the Pharisees said, “Why are you doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath?”

Berean Standard Bible
But some of the Pharisees asked, “Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?”

Berean Literal Bible
But some of the Pharisees said, "Why are you doing that which is not lawful on the Sabbaths?"

King James Bible
And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days?

New King James Version
And some of the Pharisees said to them, “Why are you doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath?”

New American Standard Bible
But some of the Pharisees said, “Why are you doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?”

NASB 1995
But some of the Pharisees said, “Why do you do what is not lawful on the Sabbath?”

NASB 1977
But some of the Pharisees said, “Why do you do what is not lawful on the Sabbath?”

Legacy Standard Bible
But some of the Pharisees said, “Why do you do what is not lawful on the Sabbath?”

Amplified Bible
But some of the Pharisees said, “Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?”

Christian Standard Bible
But some of the Pharisees said, “Why are you doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But some of the Pharisees said, “Why are you doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?”

American Standard Version
But certain of the Pharisees said, Why do ye that which it is not lawful to do on the sabbath day?

Contemporary English Version
Some Pharisees said, "Why are you picking grain on the Sabbath? You're not supposed to do that!"

English Revised Version
But certain of the Pharisees said, Why do ye that which it is not lawful to do on the sabbath day?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Some of the Pharisees asked, "Why are your disciples doing something that is not right to do on the day of worship?"

Good News Translation
Some Pharisees asked, "Why are you doing what our Law says you cannot do on the Sabbath?"

International Standard Version
Some of the Pharisees asked, "Why are you doing what isn't lawful on Sabbath days?"

Majority Standard Bible
But some of the Pharisees asked, ?Why are you doing what is unlawful to do on the Sabbath??

NET Bible
But some of the Pharisees said, "Why are you doing what is against the law on the Sabbath?"

New Heart English Bible
But some of the Pharisees said to them, "Why do you do that which is not lawful on the Sabbath day?"

Webster's Bible Translation
And certain of the Pharisees said to them, Why do ye that which it is not lawful to do on the sabbath-days?

Weymouth New Testament
And some of the Pharisees asked, "Why are you doing what the Law forbids on the Sabbath?"

World English Bible
But some of the Pharisees said to them, “Why do you do that which is not lawful to do on the Sabbath day?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and certain of the Pharisees said to them, “Why do you do that which is not lawful to do on the Sabbaths?”

Berean Literal Bible
But some of the Pharisees said, "Why are you doing that which is not lawful on the Sabbaths?"

Young's Literal Translation
and certain of the Pharisees said to them, 'Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the sabbaths?'

Smith's Literal Translation
And certain of the Pharisees said to them, Why do ye what is not lawful to do in the sabbaths.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And some of the Pharisees said to them: Why do you that which is not lawful on the sabbath days?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then certain Pharisees said to them, “Why are you doing what is not lawful on the Sabbaths?”

New American Bible
Some Pharisees said, “Why are you doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?”

New Revised Standard Version
But some of the Pharisees said, “Why are you doing what is not lawful on the sabbath?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But some of the men of the Pharisees said to them, Why are you doing what is unlawful to do on the sabbath?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But some of the Pharisees were saying to them, “Why are you doing what is illegal to do on the Sabbath?”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And some of the Pharisees said to them: Why are you doing what it is not lawful to do on the sabbath days?

Godbey New Testament
And certain ones of the Pharisees said to them, Why are you doing that which is not lawful to do on the Sabbath?

Haweis New Testament
Then said some of the Pharisees unto them, Why do ye that which is not lawful on the sabbath-day?

Mace New Testament
upon which some of the Pharisees said to them, why do you do what is not allowed to be done on the sabbath-day?

Weymouth New Testament
And some of the Pharisees asked, "Why are you doing what the Law forbids on the Sabbath?"

Worrell New Testament
But some of the Pharisees said, "Why are ye doing that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath?"

Worsley New Testament
And some of the pharisees said to them, Why do ye do that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath-days?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Lord of the Sabbath
1One Sabbath Jesus was passing through the grainfields, and His disciples began to pick the heads of grain, rub them in their hands, and eat them. 2But some of the Pharisees asked, “Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” 3Jesus replied, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry?…

Cross References
Matthew 12:1-8
At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat them. / When the Pharisees saw this, they said to Him, “Look, Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.” / Jesus replied, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? ...

Mark 2:23-28
One Sabbath Jesus was passing through the grainfields, and His disciples began to pick the heads of grain as they walked along. / So the Pharisees said to Him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” / Jesus replied, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need? ...

Exodus 20:8-11
Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. / Six days you shall labor and do all your work, / but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God, on which you must not do any work—neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant or livestock, nor the foreigner within your gates. ...

Deuteronomy 5:12-15
Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the LORD your God has commanded you. / Six days you shall labor and do all your work, / but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God, on which you must not do any work—neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your ox or donkey or any of your livestock, nor the foreigner within your gates, so that your manservant and maidservant may rest as you do. ...

1 Samuel 21:1-6
Then David came to Nob, to Ahimelech the priest. And when Ahimelech met David, he trembled and asked him, “Why are you alone? Why is no one with you?” / “The king has given me a mission,” David replied. “He told me no one is to know about the mission on which I am sending you. And I have directed my young men to meet me at a certain place. / Now then, what do you have on hand? Give me five loaves of bread, or whatever can be found.” ...

Matthew 23:23
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin. But you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.

Hosea 6:6
For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

Isaiah 58:13-14
If you turn your foot from breaking the Sabbath, from doing as you please on My holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight, and the LORD’s holy day honorable, if you honor it by not going your own way or seeking your own pleasure or speaking idle words, / then you will delight yourself in the LORD, and I will make you ride on the heights of the land and feed you with the heritage of your father Jacob.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

Nehemiah 13:15-22
In those days I saw people in Judah treading winepresses on the Sabbath and bringing in grain and loading it on donkeys, along with wine, grapes, and figs. All kinds of goods were being brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. So I warned them against selling food on that day. / Additionally, men of Tyre who lived there were importing fish and all kinds of merchandise and selling them on the Sabbath to the people of Judah in Jerusalem. / Then I rebuked the nobles of Judah and asked, “What is this evil you are doing—profaning the Sabbath day? ...

Leviticus 24:5-9
You are also to take fine flour and bake twelve loaves, using two-tenths of an ephah for each loaf, / and set them in two rows—six per row—on the table of pure gold before the LORD. / And you are to place pure frankincense near each row, so that it may serve as a memorial portion for the bread, a food offering to the LORD. ...

Numbers 28:9-10
On the Sabbath day, present two unblemished year-old male lambs, accompanied by a grain offering of two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil, as well as a drink offering. / This is the burnt offering for every Sabbath, in addition to the regular burnt offering and its drink offering.

Matthew 9:13
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Colossians 2:16-17
Therefore let no one judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a feast, a New Moon, or a Sabbath. / These are a shadow of the things to come, but the body that casts it belongs to Christ.

Romans 14:5-6
One person regards a certain day above the others, while someone else considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. / He who observes a special day does so to the Lord; he who eats does so to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.

Galatians 4:10
You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!


Treasury of Scripture

And certain of the Pharisees said to them, Why do you that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days?

Why.

Luke 6:7-9
And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him…

Luke 5:33
And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink?

Matthew 12:2
But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.

not.

Exodus 22:10
If a man deliver unto his neighbour an ass, or an ox, or a sheep, or any beast, to keep; and it die, or be hurt, or driven away, no man seeing it:

Exodus 31:15
Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.

Exodus 35:2
Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day, a sabbath of rest to the LORD: whosoever doeth work therein shall be put to death.

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Disciples Ears Eat Grain Hands Lawful Passing Pharisees Plucking Right Rubbing Sabbath Sabbath-Days Sabbaths Unlawful Wheatfields
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Disciples Ears Eat Grain Hands Lawful Passing Pharisees Plucking Right Rubbing Sabbath Sabbath-Days Sabbaths Unlawful Wheatfields
Luke 6
1. Jesus reproves the Pharisees;
12. chooses apostles;
17. heals the diseased;
20. preaches to his disciples before the people: the beattitudes;
27. Love your Enemy
37. Do not Judge
43. A Tree and Its Fruit
46. The House on the Rock














But some of the Pharisees asked
The Pharisees were a prominent religious group in Judaism during the time of Jesus. Known for their strict adherence to the Law of Moses and the oral traditions, they often clashed with Jesus over interpretations of the law. The Greek word for "Pharisees" is "Pharisaioi," which means "separated ones," indicating their commitment to purity and separation from what they considered unclean. Historically, the Pharisees were influential in the synagogues and among the common people, emphasizing the importance of following the law to maintain a covenant relationship with God. Their questioning of Jesus reflects their role as religious authorities and their concern for maintaining religious order.

Why are you doing
This phrase indicates an inquiry into the actions of Jesus and His disciples. The Greek word "poieite" (doing) suggests an ongoing action, implying that the Pharisees were observing a pattern of behavior they found questionable. The question posed by the Pharisees is not merely about a single incident but about a perceived habitual disregard for the Sabbath laws. This reflects the tension between Jesus' ministry and the established religious norms of the time.

what is unlawful
The term "unlawful" comes from the Greek word "ouk exestin," meaning "not permitted" or "not lawful." The Pharisees are referring to the traditional interpretations of the Mosaic Law, particularly the additional rules they had developed to prevent any possibility of breaking the Sabbath. These interpretations were not necessarily written in the Torah but were part of the oral traditions that the Pharisees held in high regard. The accusation of unlawfulness highlights the conflict between Jesus' teachings and the Pharisaic understanding of the law.

on the Sabbath
The Sabbath, or "Shabbat" in Hebrew, is a day of rest observed from Friday evening to Saturday evening, commemorating God's rest on the seventh day of creation. It is a sign of the covenant between God and Israel, as outlined in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:8-11). The Pharisees had developed extensive regulations to define what constituted work on the Sabbath, aiming to protect its sanctity. Jesus' actions on the Sabbath often challenged these interpretations, emphasizing the original intent of the Sabbath as a day for rest and worship rather than a burden of legalistic restrictions. This confrontation underscores the broader theme of Jesus' ministry, which sought to fulfill the law by revealing its true purpose and spirit.

Verse 2. - And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days? It would seem that these Pharisees came from Jerusalem, and were no doubt privately commissioned to watch narrowly the acts of the new Teacher who was beginning to attract such general attention, and who already was openly setting at nought the numberless additions which the Jewish schools had added to the Law. Round the original "sabbath law" of Moses thirty-nine prohibitions had been laid down in the oral law; round these "thirty-nine" a vast number of smaller rules had grouped themselves. Amongst these greater and lesser sabbath restrictions were prohibitions against "reaping and threshing." Now, plucking ears of corn was defined to be a kind of "reaping," and rubbing the ears in the hands a kind of "threshing." "See," cried some of these spying Pharisees, "do thy disciples publicly break the sabbath, and dost thou not rebuke them?" The Lord's reply does not attempt to discuss what was and what was not lawful on the sabbath, but in broad terms he expounds the great doctrine respecting the significance, limits, and purpose of every law relating to outward acts, even in the event of that law having been given by God, which was not the case in the present alleged transgression. How rigidly the stricter Jews some fourteen or fifteen centuries later still kept these strained and exaggerated traditional sabbath-day restrictions, is shown in a curious anecdote of the famous Abarbanel, "when, in 1492, the Jews were expelled from Spain, and were forbidden to enter the city of Fez, lest they should cause a famine, they lived on grass; yet even in this state 'religiously avoided the violation of their sabbath by plucking the grass with their hands. To avoid this they took the much more laborious method of grovelling on their knees, and cropping it with their teeth!"

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
But
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

some
τινὲς (tines)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.

of the
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Pharisees
Φαρισαίων (Pharisaiōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 5330: Of Hebrew origin; a separatist, i.e. Exclusively religious; a Pharisean, i.e. Jewish sectary.

asked,
εἶπαν (eipan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

“Why
Τί (Ti)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

are you doing
ποιεῖτε (poieite)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.

what
(ho)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

is unlawful
ἔξεστιν (exestin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1832: It is permitted, lawful, possible.

[on] the
τοῖς (tois)
Article - Dative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Sabbath?”
σάββασιν (sabbasin)
Noun - Dative Neuter Plural
Strong's 4521: The Sabbath, a week.


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