Luke 13:14
And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.
The ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath. He did not address Christ directly but told the people that there are six days in which men ought to work, and that in them they should come and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day. Jesus exposed the objection as inconsistent, for people loose their animals on the Sabbath to lead them to water, so this woman, a daughter of Abraham, should also be loosed from her bond on the Sabbath. The episode is thus a lesson in consistency.
His indignation at the suffering woman's deliverance shows that his Sabbath observance was distorted. The healing was not a violation of the Sabbath's purpose or forbidden labor, but was in harmony with the Sabbath and its sanctification. As an act of mercy it revealed Christ's character and power, which a heart shaped by truth and righteousness would have recognized instead of treating it as unlawful work. Such a work should have prompted gratitude and praise to God rather than condemnation.
The people rejoiced at the deliverance, but some who were moved to believe would not confess their faith for fear of being expelled from the synagogue, loving human approval more than God's. The Sabbath gave an especially good opportunity to reach sick people who worked during the week, and He healed willingly and joyfully, bringing comfort and restoring health. His Sabbath practice was to comfort and heal the sick, a work so extensive it could not be counted, with a field of service reaching the world. The passage stands as an example of the work to be carried on after Christ's example.