And Jesus answering, spake unto the lawyers and
Pharisees
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.