1. Pharisees' legalism and indifference (1-3)

In order to trap Jesus, a prominent Pharisee invited Jesus to dinner on the Sabbath and stationed a man with dropsy suffering from abnormal swelling in front of him. To the Pharisees, keeping the Sabbath law was vital to their identity. Before doing anything, Jesus tried to help the Pharisees to examine their legalistic stance by asking them, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?" Bound by legalism, they were indifferent to people's real suffering. Their legalistic pride blinded them from knowing the true meaning of the Sabbath to restore and give life.

2. Jesus' compassion (4-6)

The Pharisees' silence is contrasted with Jesus' bold action and compassion to take hold of this suffering man and heal him. Jesus' divine compassion allows him to rise above the legalistic atmosphere and to care for one person preciously. To help the Pharisees overcome their legalism, Jesus challenged them to care for others as if their own children were in grievous danger. To God, we are each his precious children whom he wants to rescue and bless.