Luke 14:4
What does Luke 14:4 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 14:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 14:4 means
They say nothing. Their silence betrays both uncertainty and hardness of heart. Jesus then takes hold of the man, heals him, and sends him away—free to enjoy Sabbath rest in wholeness. Mercy does not wait for permission from critics. The brevity of the report underscores Jesus’ authority and compassion: a simple act, a complete cure, and a dignified dismissal. The healed man’s departure also keeps the focus on the moral issue before the table: what kind of God do we serve? In one motion, Jesus demonstrates that the Sabbath welcomes restoration and that love for a suffering neighbor supersedes man-made restrictions.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But they said nothing. And he made him well and sent him away.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and they were silent, and having taken hold of <FI>him<Fi> , he healed him, and let <FI>him<Fi> go;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But they held their peace. But he taking him, healed him and sent him away.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But they were silent. And taking him he healed him and let him go.
Context
This verse provides the turning point of action after the probing question. The leaders’ silence creates moral space for Jesus to act, and He does so without fanfare. Immediately, Jesus follows His deed with an argument from common-sense compassion regarding animals in distress on the Sabbath. The pattern—question, healing, then argument—both confounds His critics and educates the watchers. With the healing settled, the narrative will shift from Sabbath controversy to a parable about humility at a feast, showing that the deeper sickness is pride and the deeper healing is a humbled heart.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 21:25
The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven or from men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why then did ye not believe him?
- Matthew 22:46
And no one was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.
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