Devine Scripture

Luke 6:2

What does Luke 6:2 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 6:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 6:2 means

Certain Pharisees challenged Jesus' disciples, questioning why they performed an action on the Sabbath that the Pharisees deemed unlawful. Their concern wasn't about the act of eating grain, which was allowed for those passing through a field, but rather their interpretation that plucking and rubbing the grain constituted work forbidden on the Sabbath. This accusation underscores the rigid legalism of the Pharisees, who prioritized their oral traditions and meticulous rules above the spirit of the law and human need.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But some of the Pharisees said, Why do you do what it is not right to do on the Sabbath?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

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

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But some of the Pharisees said to them, Why do ye what is not lawful to do on the sabbath?

Context

This verse provides the direct accusation from the Pharisees, immediately following the description of the disciples' actions. It establishes the conflict's central issue—the proper observance of the Sabbath—and sets the stage for Jesus' response. This confrontation is crucial for understanding Jesus' authority and His reinterpretation of existing religious practices.

v.1Now it came to pass on a sabbath, that he was going through the grainfields; and his disciples plucked the ears, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands.

v.2This passage

v.3And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read even this, what David did, when he was hungry, he, and they that were with him;

Cross references

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

  • Exodus 35:2

    Six days shall work be done; but on the seventh day there shall be to you a holy day, a sabbath of solemn rest to Jehovah: whosoever doeth any work therein shall be put to death.

  • Exodus 22:10

    If a man deliver unto his neighbor 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:

  • Matthew 23:23

    Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye tithe mint and anise and cummin, and have left undone the weightier matters of the law, justice, and mercy, and faith: but these ye ought to have done, and not to have left the other undone.

  • Numbers 15:32

    And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering sticks upon the sabbath day.

  • Luke 5:33

    And they said unto him, The disciples of John fast often, and make supplications; likewise also the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink.

  • Exodus 31:15

    Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a sabbath of solemn rest, holy to Jehovah: whosoever doeth any work on the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.

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