John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 3. And Jesus answering, spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees , etc.] All the Oriental versions, for lawyers, read Scribes: these, with the Pharisees, were got together in a body, in their brother Pharisee's house, to watch the motions of Christ; who knew their designs upon him, and the thoughts of their hearts, and made answer to them, by putting the following question; saying, is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day ? The occasion of the question was the object before him, whom Christ had a compassionate regard to, and determined to cure; but knowing that these men were catching at every thing, to traduce him, was desirous of having their sentiments first; not but that he knew full well, what was agreeable to the law of God, and what was not; and what also were the traditions of their elders, which they held, and which allowed of healing on the sabbath day, where life was in danger.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-6 - This Pharisee, as well as others, seems to have had an ill design i entertaining Jesus at his house. But our Lord would not be hindere from healing a man, though he knew a clamour would be raised at his doing it on the sabbath. It requires care to understand the prope connexion between piety and charity in observing the sabbath, and the distinction between works of real necessity and habits of self-indulgence. Wisdom from above, teaches patient perseverance in well-doing.
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 CONJ αποκριθεις 611 5679 V-AOP-NSM ο 3588 T-NSM ιησους 2424 N-NSM ειπεν 2036 5627 V-2AAI-3S προς 4314 PREP τους 3588 T-APM νομικους 3544 A-APM και 2532 CONJ φαρισαιους 5330 N-APM λεγων 3004 5723 V-PAP-NSM ει 1487 COND εξεστιν 1832 5904 V-PQI-3S τω 3588 T-DSN σαββατω 4521 N-DSN θεραπευειν 2323 5721 V-PAN
Robertson's NT Word Studies
14:3 {Answering} (apokriqeis). First aorist passive participle without the passive meaning. Jesus answered the thoughts of those mentioned in verse #1. Here "lawyers and Pharisees" are treated as one class with one article (tous) whereas in #7:30 they are treated as two classes with separate articles. {Or not} (e ou). The dilemma forestalled any question by them. {They held their peace} (hesucasan). Ingressive aorist active of old verb hesucazw. They became silent, more so than before.
