Luke 6

Luke 6 is the sixth chapter of the Gospel of Luke in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. Jesus's teaching about the Sabbath enrages the religious authorities and deepens their conflict. The recruitment of Jesus' first disciples is completed and followed by a sermon where key aspects of Jesus's teaching is presented.

The Sabbath conflict

Luke relates two events that show the differences in the teaching about the Sabbath and lead to a widening conflict between Jesus and the religious authorities.

Lord of the Sabbath

This story is told in the synoptic gospels (Mark 2:23-28, Matt 12:1-8, Luke 6:1-5). Jesus' disciples are accused of breaking the Law (Exodus 20:8-11) by the Jewish authorities who see them pluck wheat, rub it and eat it during the Sabbath. Jesus replies that their action is allowed as the Sabbath is made for people and not the other way around. He recalls the action of David and his men who when hungry received the showbread (1Samuel 21:1-6). Jesus indicates that he - the Son of Man - is the Lord of the Sabbath.