NOTES for Lc 6:6-11

Jesus’ conduct is deliberately provocative. It is clear that for Him the person, not the law, comes first. It is clear that healing is more important than Sabbath rest. But why say, “Rise and stand in the middle”? Why discuss the matter at all? He could remain silent; He could do everything quietly, without drawing attention to it...

But it is important for Jesus to say what matters most. He consciously rejects the position of doing things “quietly.” God acts openly; His action is always light. And therefore He not only does not conceal the fact that His conduct does not conform to the generally accepted norm, but emphasizes it, thereby calling that very norm into question and rejecting it.