Luke 6:11

They were mad at Christ, mad at the people, mad at themselves. Anger is a short madness, malice is a long one; impotent malice, especially disappointed malice; such was theirs.

Were filled with madness - Probably, 1. Because he had shown his “power” to work a miracle. 2. Because he had shown his power to do it “contrary” to what “they” thought was right. 3. Because by doing it he had shown that he was from “God,” and that “they” were therefore “wrong” in their views of the Sabbath. And, 4. Because he had shown no respect “to their views” of what the law of God demanded. Pride, obstinacy, malice, and disappointed self-confidence were “all” combined, therefore, in producing madness. Nor were they alone.

THE TWELVE APOSTLES CHOSEN--GATHERING MULTITUDES--GLORIOUS HEALINGS. 12, 13. went out--probably from Capernaum. all night in prayer . . . and when . . . day, he called, &c.--The work with which the next day began shows what had been the burden of this night's devotions. As He directed His disciples to pray for "laborers" just before sending themselves forth (see on Mt 9:37;

quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — unbalanced-parens

These verses contain another example of our Lord Jesus Christ's mode of dealing with the Sabbath question. Once more we find Him coming into collision with the vain traditions of the Pharisees, about the observance of the fourth commandment. Once more we find Him clearing the day of God from the rubbish of human traditions — and placing its requirements on the right foundation. We are taught in these verses — the lawfulness of doing works of mercy on the Sabbath day.

These verses contain another example of our Lord Jesus Christ's mode of dealing with the Sabbath question. Once more we find Him coming into collision with the vain traditions of the Pharisees, about the observance of the fourth commandment. Once more we find Him clearing the day of God from the rubbish of human traditions — and placing its requirements on the right foundation. We are taught in these verses — the lawfulness of doing works of mercy on the Sabbath day. We read that before all the Scribes and Pharisees, our Lord healed a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath. He knew that these enemies of all righteousness were watching to see whether He would do it, in order that they might "find an accusation against Him." He boldly asserts the right of doing such works of mercy, even on the day when it is said, "you shall do no manner of work." He openly challenges them to show that such a work was contrary to the law. "I will ask you one thing," He says, "Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good — or to do evil? to save life — or to destroy?" To this question, His enemies were unable to find an answer. The principle here laid down, is one of wide application . The fourth commandment was never meant to be so interpreted, as to inflict injury on man's body. It was intended to admit of adaptation to that state of things which sin has brought into the world. It was not meant to forbid showing kindness on the Sabbath to the afflicted — or attending to the needs of the sick. We may drive in a carriage to minister comfort to the dying. We may stay away from public worship — in order to fetch a doctor, or be useful in a sick room. We may visit the fatherless and widow in trouble. We may preach, and teach, and instruct the ignorant. These are works of mercy . We may do them, and yet keep the Sabbath holy. They are not breaches of God's law.

They were filled with madness - Pride, obstinacy, and interest, combined together, are capable of any thing. When men have once framed their conscience according to their passions, madness passes for zeal, the blackest conspiracies for pious designs, and the most horrid attempts for heroic actions. Quesnel.