And he said unto them
Well knowing their intentions, and also their usages and customs,
which he was able to produce and object to them; in which,
through covetousness, they showed more regard to their beasts,
than they did humanity to their fellow creatures:
what man shall there be among you, that shall have one
sheep, and if
it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold
on it,
and lift it out?
Christ appeals to them in a case which was usually done among
them, and which, without delay, no man would scruple to do;
though their present rule of direction, in such a case, is this
{f}:
``if a beast fall into a ditch, or a pool of water, if food can be given it, where it is, they feed it till the going out of the sabbath; but if not, bolsters and pillows may be brought, and put under it, and if it can come out: it may come out:''and which is elsewhere F7 a little differently expressed;
``if a beast fall into a ditch, or pool of water, it is forbidden a man to bring it out with his hand; but if he can give it food where it is, it may be fed till the going out of the sabbath:''which seems to have been made since the times of Christ, and in opposition to this observation of his.