ACC ~ Luke 6 v6 - 11

JESUS HEALS ON THE SABBATH TO TEACH THE PHARISEES MERCY

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: The miracle sometimes converts to faith those who had disbelieved the word, but the Pharisees watched him to see if he would heal on the sabbath. The nature of an envious person is such that he makes the praises of others food for his own disease and is wickedly maddened by their reputation. Once more he spoke to this; “he reveals deep and mysterious things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.” [1] And why did he do this? Perhaps it might be to move the cruel and unpitying Pharisee to compassion. The man’s malady [his withered hand] perhaps might shame them and persuade them to dispel the flames of their envy.

This question is most wise indeed and a most suitable statement to meet their folly. If it is lawful to do good on the sabbath and nothing prevents the sick being pitied by God, cease picking up opportunities for fault-finding against Christ and bringing down on your own head the sentence which the Father has decreed against those who dishonor the Son. You have heard the Father where he says of the Son by the voice of David, “I will crush his foes before him and strike down those who hate him.” [2] But if it is not lawful to do good on the sabbath and the law forbids the saving of life, you have made yourself an accuser of the law. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 23. [3]

[1] Dan 2:22.

[2] Ps 89:23.

[3] CGSL 122*.

JESUS REBUKES THE PHARISEES’ INTERPRETATION

AMBROSE: “Are you angry at me because I have healed the whole man on the sabbath day?” [1] In this place he revivified with the salutary strength of good works the hand which Adam stretched out to pluck the fruit of the forbidden tree. [2] The hand which had withered through a crime was healed by good deeds. Christ thereby rebuked the Jews who violated the precepts of the law with evil interpretations. They thought that they should rest even from good works on the sabbath, since the law prefigured in the present the form of the future in which indeed the days of rest from evils, not from blessings, would come. EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 5.39. [3]

[1] Jn 7:23.

[2] Gen 3:6.

[3] EHG 161*.

STRETCH OUT YOUR HAND FOR OTHERS

AMBROSE: Then you heard the words of the Lord, saying, “Stretch forth your hand.” That is the common and universal remedy. You who think that you have a healthy hand beware lest it is withered by greed or by sacrilege. Hold it out often. Hold it out to the poor person who begs you. Hold it out to help your neighbor, to give protection to a widow, to snatch from harm one whom you see subjected to unjust insult. Hold it out to God for your sins. [1] The hand is stretched forth; then it is healed. Jeroboam’s hand withered when he sacrificed to idols; then it stretched out when he entreated God. [2] EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 5.40. [3]

[1] See Is 1:15, 17.

[2] 1 Kings 13:4-6.

[3] EHG 162*.