“And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him.”
The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath — the watching is hostile surveillance: looking for (paraterountes, watching carefully) a reason to accuse. The man's presence in the synagogue is the Pharisees' opportunity — they want to know if Jesus will heal on the Sabbath so they can bring charges.
Church Fathers on Luke 6:7
The Lord now proceeds to another work. For He who had determined to make the whole man safe, was able to cure each member. Hence it is said, And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught.
He chiefly heals and teaches on the sabbaths, not only to convey the meaning of a spiritual sabbath, but because of the more numerous assembly of the people.
But He taught things far beyond their comprehension, and opened to his hearers the way to future salvation by Him; and then after having first taught them, He suddenly showed His divine power, as it follows, and there was a man there whose right hand was withered.
Read all 15 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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