Luk 6:7 | NETfull | STEP | The experts in the law and the Pharisees watched Jesus closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath, so that they could find a reason to accuse him.

Luke 6:7

7 The experts in the law ^{▼▼ Or “The scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 5:21.} and the Pharisees ^{▼▼ See the note on Pharisees in 5:17.} watched ^{▼▼ The term translated watched…closely is emotive, since it carries negative connotations. It means they were watching him out of the corner of their eye or spying on him.} Jesus ^{▼▼ Grk “him”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.} closely to see if ^{▼▼ This is a first class condition in the Greek text; Jesus’ opponents anticipated he would do this.} he would heal on the Sabbath, ^{▼▼ The background for this is the view that only if life was endangered should one attempt to heal on the Sabbath (see the Mishnah, m. Shabbat 6.3; 12.1; 18.3; 19.2; m. Yoma 8.6).} so that they could find a reason to accuse him.