A.T. Robertson Commentary Luke 6:9

"And Jesus said unto them, I ask you, Is it lawful on the sabbath to do good, or to do harm? to save a life, or to destroy it?" — Luke 6:9 (ASV)

I ask you (επερωτω υμας). They had questions in their hearts about Jesus. He now asks in addition (επ') an open question that brings the whole issue into the open.

A life (ψυχην). So the Revised Version. The rabbis had a rule: Periculum vitae pellit

sabbatum. But it had to be a Jew whose life was in peril on the sabbath. The words of Jesus cut to the quick.

Or to destroy it (η απολεσα). On this very day these Pharisees were plotting to destroy Jesus (verse 7).