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

LUKE 6:2KJV
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Luke 6:2 (KJV)

What does Luke 6:2 mean?

Luke 6:2 records a challenge to Jesus’ disciples about keeping the Sabbath, the Jewish day of rest. Some Pharisees question whether the disciples’ actions are allowed on that day. Their question brings a dispute about Sabbath observance into the open.

The challenge follows the disciples’ picking and eating grain as they walk through a field in verse 1. The Pharisees were a Jewish group known for careful attention to the law and its observance. They address the disciples, while Jesus answers their question in the verses that follow.

The Greek behind Luke 6:2

  • “is … lawful” — ἔξεστιν (exestin): The Greek carries the sense of “is permitted” or “is allowed.” The question concerns whether the disciples’ action is permitted on the Sabbath.
  • “days” — σάββατον (sabbaton): This word can refer to the Sabbath, the weekly day of rest. The KJV’s “sabbath days” points to that observance, rather than to ordinary days in general.

Why Luke 6:2 matters

  • The objection concerns the day as well as the action. Luke places the disciples’ picking of grain on the Sabbath, and the Pharisees name that day in their question.
  • Jesus responds by recalling David’s eating of bread from the house of God in Luke 6:3–4. That example places the question within a discussion of an earlier event recorded in Jewish Scripture.
  • The exchange leads to Jesus’ statement, “The Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath,” in Luke 6:5. Luke presents that statement as part of Jesus’ answer to the challenge.

Where else these words appear

“is” Greek G1832 · used in 30 verses

  • 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.
  • Mark 2:24 And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?
  • John 5:10 The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.

“days” Greek G4521 · used in 62 verses

  • Matthew 12:1 At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat.
  • Luke 4:16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.
  • John 5:16 And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.

“Pharisees” Greek G5330 · used in 95 verses

  • Matthew 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
  • Mark 2:18 And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?
  • Luke 16:14 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.