As we already discovered the Pharisees were out to get Jesus. Jesus was a challenge to the established religious order. He was breaking down the control the Pharisees had over the Jewish people. Though Jesus responses during these confrontations basically made the situation worse for the Pharisees they never seemed to learn.
Luke 6:6 Now it happened on another Sabbath, also, that He entered the synagogue and taught. And a man was there whose right hand was withered. 7 So the scribes and Pharisees watched Him closely, whether He would heal on the Sabbath, that they might find an accusation against Him. 8 But He knew their thoughts, and said to the man who had the withered hand, “Arise and stand here.” And he arose and stood. 9 Then Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one thing: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy?” 10 And when He had looked around at them all, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he did so, and his hand was restored as whole as the other. 11 But they were filled with rage, and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus. (Luke 6:6-11, New King James Version)
Luke 6:6 Now it happened on another Sabbath, also, that He entered the synagogue and taught. And a man was there whose right hand was withered. 7 So the scribes and Pharisees watched Him closely, whether He would heal on the Sabbath, that they might find an accusation against Him. 8 But He knew their thoughts, and said to the man who had the withered hand, “Arise and stand here.” And he arose and stood. 9 Then Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one thing: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy?” 10 And when He had looked around at them all, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he did so, and his hand was restored as whole as the other. 11 But they were filled with rage, and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus. (Luke 6:6-11, New King James Version)
It is hard to imagine but the Pharisees believed that healing was work and thus was forbidden on the Sabbath. Did you notice the Pharisees compassion for the man with the withered hand? Neither did I. In the Pharisees eyes this man existed for one purpose to provide an opportunity to accuse Jesus.
Jesus calls attention not to the issue of the interpretation of the command to keep the Sabbath Holy. Instead is it lawful to do good or evil on the Sabbath. I don't think its too much of a stretch to assume that Jesus was in turn accusing the Pharisees of doing evil on the Sabbath waiting in anticipation to accuse Jesus. Think how desperate they would need to be to use a persons misfortune as a means to trap Jesus.
This must of hit home, because the Pharisees were not just disappointed, but were filled with rage. This was no longer just a past time with the Pharisees to accuse Jesus. They have now reached a point where they plan to work together to decide what to do about Jesus. You can be sure that the discussion wasn't about mending bridges or inviting Him out to dinner.
For now we will leave the Pharisees and their plots to see how Jesus will extend His ministry.
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