Luke 6 · Verse 2

Luke 6:2

And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days?
Luke 6:2, King James Version

Luke 6:2 in other translations

BSBBut some of the Pharisees asked, “Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?”
WEBBut some of the Pharisees said to them, “Why do you do that which is not lawful to do on the Sabbath day?”
ASVBut certain of the Pharisees said, Why do ye that which it is not lawful to do on the sabbath day?
YLTand certain of the Pharisees said to them, ‘Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the sabbaths?'
DARBYBut some of the Pharisees said to them, Why do ye what is not lawful to do on the sabbath?
BBEBut some of the Pharisees said, Why do you do what it is not right to do on the Sabbath?
WebsterAnd certain of the Pharisees said to them, Why do ye that which it is not lawful to do on the sabbath-days?

What does Luke 6:2 mean?

Barnes' Notes
Verse 2. No entry from BARNES for this verse.

(b) "that which is not lawful" Ex 20:10, Is 58:13

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 2 Which is not lawful - See on Mat 12:2-8 (note).

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Luke 6:1-5

Christ justifies his disciples in a work of necessity for themselves on the sabbath day, and that was plucking the ears of corn when they were hungry. But we must take heed that we mistake not this liberty for leave to commit sin. Christ will have us to know and remember that it is his day, therefore to be spent in his service, and to his honour.

Read the full comment on Luke 6:1-5 →

Luke 6:2 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

τινὲςtinesSomeG5100
δὲdehoweverG1161
τῶνtōnof theG3588
ΦαρισαίωνPharisaiōnPhariseesG5330
εἶπανeipansaidG2036
τίtiWhyG5101
ποιεῖτεpoieitedo youG4160
ὃhothat whichG3739
οὐκouknotG3756
ἔξεστινexestinit is lawfulG1832
τοῖςtois[on] theG3588
σάββασιν;sabbasinSabbaths?G4521

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Luke 6:2

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • John 9:14-16

    And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes. Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see. Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.

  • John 5:9-11

    And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath. The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed. He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.

  • 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?

  • Mark 2:24

    And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?

  • Numbers 15:32-35

    And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day. And they that found him gathering sticks brought him unto Moses and Aaron, and unto all the congregation. And they put him in ward, because it was not declared what should be done to him. And the Lord said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp.

  • 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. But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth. Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?

  • 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:

  • Matthew 23:23-24

    Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.

  • 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.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Why.
7-9; 5:33; Mt 12:2; 15:2; 23:23,24; Mr 2:24; Joh 5:9-11,16; 9:14-16
not.
Ex 22:10; 31:15; 35:2; Nu 15:32-35; Isa 58:13

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Luke 6:1

    And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands.

  • Luke 6:2

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

  • Luke 6:3

    And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read so much as this, what David did, when himself was an hungred, and they which were with him;

Read all of Luke 6

Luke 6:2 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
Y algunos de los Fariseos les dijeron: ¿Por qué hacéis lo que no es lícito hacer en los sábados?
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
Et quelques-uns des pharisiens leur dirent: Pourquoi faites-vous ce qu’il n’est pas permis de faire au jour de sabbat?
German
Elberfelder 1871
Einige der Pharisäer aber sprachen zu ihnen: Warum tut ihr, was nicht erlaubt ist, am Sabbath zu tun?
Latin
Clementine Vulgate
Quidam autem pharisæorum, dicebant illis: Quid facitis quod non licet in sabbatis?