Luke 6:8 kjv
But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth.
Luke 6:8 nkjv
But He knew their thoughts, and said to the man who had the withered hand, "Arise and stand here." And he arose and stood.
Luke 6:8 niv
But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said to the man with the shriveled hand, "Get up and stand in front of everyone." So he got up and stood there.
Luke 6:8 esv
But he knew their thoughts, and he said to the man with the withered hand, "Come and stand here." And he rose and stood there.
Luke 6:8 nlt
But Jesus knew their thoughts. He said to the man with the deformed hand, "Come and stand in front of everyone." So the man came forward.
Luke 6 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jesus' Omniscience / Knowing Hearts | ||
| Jn 2:25 | He himself knew what was in man. | Jesus' divine insight into human hearts. |
| Lk 5:22 | When Jesus perceived their thoughts... | Jesus knows the thoughts of the scribes/Pharisees. |
| Mk 2:8 | Immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned... | Jesus discerns internal reasonings. |
| Mt 9:4 | Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil...? | Jesus confronts their inner malice directly. |
| Ps 139:2 | You discern my thoughts from afar. | God's intimate knowledge of human thoughts. |
| 1 Chr 28:9 | For the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations... | God's comprehensive understanding of minds. |
| Heb 4:13 | Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight... | All things open to God's sight. |
| Jer 17:10 | I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins... | God's role in testing hearts. |
| Healing on the Sabbath | ||
| Mk 3:1-5 | And he entered again into the synagogue... a man which had a withered hand. | Parallel account of this healing on Sabbath. |
| Mt 12:9-13 | ...went into their synagogue: And, behold, there was a man which had a withered hand. | Parallel account; Jesus' argument about saving life. |
| Lk 13:10-17 | ...he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And, behold... | Jesus heals a woman on Sabbath, challenged. |
| Lk 14:1-6 | ...on the sabbath day... a man which had the dropsy... | Jesus heals a man on Sabbath, justified by ox in pit. |
| Jn 5:1-9 | ...at the pool of Bethesda... It was the sabbath day... | Jesus heals a lame man on the Sabbath. |
| Jn 9:1-16 | ...as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind... sabbath day... | Jesus heals a blind man, sparks Sabbath controversy. |
| Conflict with Religious Authority / Challenging Tradition | ||
| Lk 6:6-7 | And they watched him... that they might find an accusation against him. | Direct immediate context of the controversy. |
| Mt 15:1-9 | ...Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders...? | Jesus challenges pharisaic traditions. |
| Col 2:16-17 | Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a holyday... | Christian freedom from rigid legalism/observances. |
| Mk 2:27-28 | And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath... | Jesus asserts His authority as Lord of Sabbath. |
| Isa 58:13-14 | If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure... | Prophetic critique of external Sabbath keeping vs. heart. |
| Call to Rise / Public Act / Faith Response | ||
| Acts 3:6-8 | Peter said, Silver and gold have I none... But such as I have give I thee... | A man commanded to rise, healed by apostles. |
| Lk 8:54-55 | ...said, Maid, arise. And her spirit came again... | Jesus' command "Arise" restoring life. |
| Mt 9:5-7 | ...thy sins be forgiven thee... Arise, take up thy bed, and go into thine house. | Authority to forgive sins and heal physically. |
Luke 6 verses
Luke 6 8 Meaning
Luke 6:8 reveals Jesus' divine omniscience, showing He fully understood the malicious intentions and critical thoughts of the religious leaders observing Him. Despite their silent judgment, Jesus actively asserts His authority by directly commanding a man with a withered hand to stand in the public gaze of the synagogue. This action served as a public demonstration of His power over affliction and His Lordship over the Sabbath, contrasting their rigid legalism with His compassion and spiritual freedom.
Luke 6 8 Context
Luke chapter 6 opens with Jesus engaging in actions on the Sabbath day that provoked direct confrontation with the Pharisees and scribes. First, His disciples plucked and ate grain, leading to a debate where Jesus declared Himself "Lord of the Sabbath" (Lk 6:1-5). Immediately following this, Jesus entered a synagogue, a customary place for worship and teaching. His presence, particularly on the Sabbath, drew the attention of the religious leaders who were actively watching Him, looking for any infraction of their detailed Sabbath laws to accuse Him (Lk 6:7). The scene in verse 8 sets up a public challenge. The "withered hand" implies a profound disability, perhaps due to atrophy or paralysis, rendering the limb useless and symbolic of the spiritual state of those unable to grasp the truth. The command for the man to "stand forth" publicly escalates the situation, forcing a decision on all present—either to condemn Jesus for healing on the Sabbath or to witness His divine authority.
Luke 6 8 Word analysis
- But: (Greek: de) A transitional particle emphasizing contrast. It highlights Jesus' proactive knowledge and response in the face of the silent hostility and hidden malice of the observers.
- he knew: (Greek: ēdei, imperfect of oida) This signifies an inherent, perfect, and intuitive knowledge, not knowledge gained by observation or learning. Jesus didn't just 'perceive' but knew completely and continually. This underscores His divine omniscience, penetrating their most private thoughts and intentions, a characteristic ascribed only to God.
- their thoughts: (Greek: tous dialogismous autōn) Not simply "what they were thinking" but "their reasonings, calculations, evil imaginings, schemes, or inward debates." It points to a deep-seated antagonism and malicious plotting to entrap Jesus, contrasting their external piety with their internal corruption. This highlights a common polemic against superficial religious observance, as seen in prophetic criticisms (e.g., Isa 29:13).
- and said to the man: Jesus shifts His focus from their malicious thoughts to a direct, compassionate, yet challenging, address to the suffering individual. This prioritizes human need over rigid religious strictures.
- which had the withered hand: (Greek: ho echōn tēn cheira xēran) The phrase describes a shrunken, dried-up, or atrophied hand, rendering it useless. In the Jewish context, such a prominent disability would have made the man ritually unclean or unable to fully participate in community life. It visually represents human brokenness and inability, providing a stark contrast to Jesus' healing power.
- Rise up: (Greek: egeirai) An imperative, literally "stand up" or "be raised." This is a command, often used for awakening or resurrection (e.g., Lk 8:54). It calls for immediate action and an elevation from a passive state.
- and stand forth in the midst: (Greek: kai stēthi eis to meson) "Stand forth" (stēthi) implies taking a definite, visible stand. "In the midst" (eis to meson) means publicly, in the center of the gathering, exposed to everyone's gaze, especially the watchful critics. This was a deliberate act by Jesus to challenge the onlookers, compelling them to witness His action and their own hypocrisy.
- And he arose and stood forth: (Greek: kai anastas estē) The man's immediate obedience demonstrates an act of faith. He cooperates with the divine command, highlighting the necessary human response to divine grace. His action sets the stage for Jesus' healing miracle.
Luke 6 8 Bonus section
This passage is rich in Christological implications, revealing Jesus' divine attributes (omniscience and authority). His knowledge of "thoughts" echoes God's unique ability to search hearts (1 Sam 16:7, Jer 17:10). The command to "stand forth" forces the religious leaders to confront the spiritual significance of their opposition. This act functions as a prophetic sign: just as the withered hand symbolizes spiritual barrenness, its restoration signifies life and spiritual vitality through Jesus. The incident highlights the shift from an Old Covenant focus on ritual observance to a New Covenant emphasis on compassion, inner transformation, and the person of Jesus Christ as the true embodiment of the Law.
Luke 6 8 Commentary
Luke 6:8 unveils Jesus' divine prerogative and direct confrontation with legalism. By "knowing their thoughts," Jesus exhibits His omniscient nature, perceiving not just superficial thoughts but the deep, malicious intent of the religious leaders. This divine insight allows Him to preempt their accusations and address their hidden opposition. His command to the man with the withered hand to "rise up and stand forth in the midst" is a deliberate act of public challenge. It is an intentional test, not of the man's faith, but of the religious authorities' hardened hearts. Jesus prioritizes human suffering and God's restorative will over man-made traditions concerning the Sabbath. The man's immediate obedience exemplifies the kind of faith that responds promptly to Christ's word, contrasting sharply with the unbelief of the leaders. This moment emphasizes that true spirituality stems from compassion and divine authority, not from rigid, human-made rules that neglect mercy.