What is the meaning of Luke 6:6-11?

BURKITT : | Lu 6:1-5 | Lu 6:6-11 | Lu 6:12 | Lu 6:13-16 | Lu 6:17-19 | Lu 6:20 | Lu 6:21 | Lu 6:22-23 | Lu 6:24-25 | Lu 6:26 | Lu 6:27-29 | Lu 6:30 | Lu 6:31 | Lu 6:32-36 | Lu 6:37 | Lu 6:38 | Lu 6:39 | Lu 6:40 | Lu 6:41-42 | Lu 6:43-45 | Lu 6:46-49 | KJV

Reference

6 And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered. 7 And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him. 8 But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth. 9 Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it? 10 And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other. 11 And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus. (Luke 6:6-11 KJV)

William Burkitt’s Commentary

Observe here, 1. The miraculous cure which our Saviour wrought upon the man which had the withered hand.

And 2. The effect which this miracle had upon the wicked Pharisees. In the former note, the place where our Saviour wrought this miracle, in the synagogue: the time when, on the sabbath day; the manner how, by speaking of a word; the persons before whom, namely, the envious and malicious Pharisees. These men were always slandering Christ’s doctrine and cavilling at his miracles, yet does our holy Lord go on with his work before their faces without discouragement.

Learn thence, that the unjust censures and malicious cavils of wicked men against us, for well-doing, must not discourage us from doing our duty, either towards God or towards our neighbor. Although the Pharisees watched our Saviour wherever he went, and when they could find no occasion of quarrel, would invent and make one, yet such was our Lord’s courage and resolution, that he bids the man that had the withered hand stand forth; to show that he was resolved to heal him, notwithstanding their malicious purpose to accuse him for it as a breaker of the Sabbath. Opposition met with in doing our duty, must not discourage us from doing good, if we follow the example of our blessed Redeemer.

Observe, 2. The influence and effect this miracle had upon the wicked Pharisees; they were filled with madness and took counsel to kill him. Instead of being convinced by this miracle, they conspire against him for it. The enemies of Christ and his holy religion, when arguments fail fall to violence. It is a certain sign of a weak cause that must be supported by passion: which is all tongue, and no ear.