The Rage of Jesus’ Accusers

Just here to point out an insightful comment by John MacArthur on how stiflingly frustrated Jesus was able to make the scribes and Pharisees. In their usual fashion, they were following Jesus around in Luke 6, looking for a good reason to accuse him of doing something wrong on the Sabbath. Here is how Luke records the events in Luke 6:6-11.

Luke 6:6-11 – On another Sabbath He entered the synagogue and was teaching; and there was a man there whose right hand was withered. The scribes and the Pharisees were watching Him closely to see if He healed on the Sabbath, so that they might find reason to accuse Him. But He knew what they were thinking, and He said to the man with the withered hand, “Get up and come forward!” And he got up and came forward. And Jesus said to them, “I ask you, is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath, to save a life or to destroy it?” After looking around at them all, He said to him, “Stretch out your hand!” And he did so; and his hand was restored. But they themselves were filled with rage, and discussed together what they might do to Jesus.

John MacArthur comments in his study bible:

Filled with rage. A curious response in the face of so glorious a miracle. Such irrational hatred was their response to having been publicly humiliated — something they hated worse than anything (cf. Matt. 23:6, 7). They were unable to answer His reasoning (vv. 9, 10). And furthermore, by healing the man only with a command, He had performed no actual “work” that they could charge Him with. Desperately seeking a reason to accuse Him (v. 7), they could find none. Their response was blind fury.