Expositor's Bible Commentary 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)

Jesus’ question in this verse implies that if any illness is left unattended when healing can be provided, evil is done by default. Jesus is not breaking the Sabbath; he is using it to do good to a human being in need.