Devine Scripture

Luke 14:5

What does Luke 14:5 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 14:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 14:5 means

Jesus appeals to their everyday conduct: if an ass or ox falls into a well, who wouldn’t pull it out at once on the Sabbath? He exposes their inconsistency. They already make room for compassionate exceptions when their property is at stake; why then deny compassion to a suffering person? The question reframes Sabbath observance as service to life and neighbor. It also locates true holiness not in meticulous rule-keeping but in imitating God’s kindness. By using their own practice, Jesus shows that the law leads to rescue, not neglect. If an animal merits help, how much more a human being, made in God’s image.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he said unto them, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a well, and will not straightway draw him up on a sabbath day?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he said unto them, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a well, and will not straightway draw him up on a sabbath day?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he said to them, Which of you, whose ox or ass has got into a water-hole, will not straight away get him out on the Sabbath?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and answering them he said, `Of which of you shall an ass or ox fall into a pit, and he will not immediately draw it up on the sabbath-day?'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And answering them, he said: Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fall into a pit and will not immediately draw him out, on the sabbath day?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And answering he said to them, Of which of you shall an ass or ox fall into a well, that he does not straightway pull him up on the sabbath day?

Context

This follow-up explanation interprets the healing just performed. It shows that Jesus’ action is not a lawless breach but a faithful application of the law’s spirit. The leaders are cornered by their own logic and custom. The next verse confirms their inability to answer. With the Sabbath controversy thus silenced, Luke transitions to Jesus’ observations about seating choices at the meal, allowing Him to teach on humility. The narrative moves from mercy in crisis to humility in community—two facets of the same kingdom ethic that values people over prestige.

v.4But they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go.

v.5This passage

v.6And they could not answer again unto these things.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 12:11

    And he said unto them, What man shall there be of you, that shall have one sheep, and if this fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?

  • Luke 13:15

    But the Lord answered him, and said, Ye hypocrites, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?

  • Exodus 23:4

    If thou meet thine enemy’s ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Luke 14

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Luke 14.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Luke 14:5.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary