Mark 3:3 kjv
And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth.
Mark 3:3 nkjv
And He said to the man who had the withered hand, "Step forward."
Mark 3:3 niv
Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, "Stand up in front of everyone."
Mark 3:3 esv
And he said to the man with the withered hand, "Come here."
Mark 3:3 nlt
Jesus said to the man with the deformed hand, "Come and stand in front of everyone."
Mark 3 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Matt 12:9-14 | Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue... "Stretch out your hand." | Parallel account of the healing on the Sabbath. |
| Luke 6:6-11 | On another Sabbath he entered the synagogue... "Stretch out your hand." | Parallel account, highlighting the plotting. |
| Mark 1:27 | They were all amazed... “What is this? A new teaching—with authority!” | Jesus' authority recognized by the crowd. |
| Mark 2:27-28 | The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath. | Jesus' teaching on the purpose and lordship over the Sabbath. |
| Matt 12:12 | Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath. | Jesus' rationale for healing on the Sabbath, prioritising good. |
| Luke 13:14-17 | The synagogue leader, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath... | Another Sabbath healing illustrating legalistic opposition. |
| Luke 14:3-6 | Then he asked them, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?” | Jesus challenging the legalists directly regarding Sabbath healing. |
| John 9:14-16 | Now it was a Sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. Some of the Pharisees were saying... | Healing a blind man on Sabbath, provoking dispute. |
| John 5:16-17 | So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders began to persecute him... | Persecution stemming from Jesus' Sabbath healings. |
| Matt 23:23-24 | Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe... but neglect the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. | Critique of Pharisaic hypocrisy and neglect of true righteousness. |
| Hos 6:6 | For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. | Old Testament principle favoring mercy over rigid ritual. |
| Isa 1:13-17 | Bring no more vain offerings; incense is an abomination to me... Learn to do good; seek justice... | Prophetic condemnation of empty religious ritual without righteous action. |
| Jer 17:21-22 | Thus says the Lord: Take care for the sake of your lives... to bear no burden on the Sabbath day... | Old Testament Sabbath command focusing on rest and honoring God. |
| Acts 4:18-20 | So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus... | Apostles facing similar opposition for speaking Christ's truth. |
| Prov 28:27 | Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse. | Emphasizing the importance of practical compassion. |
| 1 Sam 16:7 | The Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart. | God's priority of inner disposition over outward observance. |
| Heb 4:9-10 | So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God... | New Covenant understanding of spiritual rest and liberation. |
| Col 2:16-17 | Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival... | Paul's teaching on the ceremonial law being fulfilled in Christ. |
| Rom 13:10 | Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. | Love as the ultimate fulfillment and guiding principle of law. |
| Jas 2:8 | If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well. | Emphasis on the practical application of love as royal law. |
| Gal 5:6 | For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. | Importance of faith and love over outward observances. |
| Eph 2:10 | For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. | Christians are created to do good works, consistent with Jesus' actions. |
Mark 3 verses
Mark 3 3 Meaning
Mark 3:3 captures a pivotal moment where Jesus intentionally challenges the prevailing legalistic interpretation of the Sabbath. By commanding the man with the withered hand to "step forward" into the visible center of the synagogue, Jesus directly sets up a public confrontation with His observers. This action highlights His divine authority, His compassion for human suffering, and His deliberate move to expose the hypocrisy of religious leaders who prioritized rigid adherence to man-made rules over genuine care for human life and wellbeing. It demonstrates Jesus' active decision to heal, even when it directly provokes those who opposed Him, emphasizing the priority of doing good.
Mark 3 3 Context
Mark chapter 3 opens immediately after Jesus has affirmed His Lordship over the Sabbath (Mark 2:23-28). This specific event occurs in a synagogue, a common place for Jesus' teaching ministry. The Pharisees and other religious leaders are closely watching Him, eager to find a charge against Him, particularly concerning the Sabbath law. They were aware of His previous actions and teachings that challenged their interpretations. The man with the withered hand serves as a silent witness and an object for the unfolding test, not just for Jesus but for the observers. The surrounding verses show Jesus' direct challenge (Mark 3:4), the ensuing healing (Mark 3:5), and the immediate conspiracy by the Pharisees and Herodians to destroy Jesus (Mark 3:6), highlighting the escalating conflict between Jesus and the religious establishment.
Mark 3 3 Word analysis
- And he said: The conjunction "And" (καὶ - kai) connects this action directly to the preceding scene, emphasizing continuity of conflict. "He" refers to Jesus, establishing Him as the active agent. "Said" (λέγει - legei), in the present tense in Greek, gives immediacy and vividness to the narrative, presenting the event as unfolding. It implies a direct, authoritative verbal command.
- to the man: Implies Jesus' focus is not on the crowd or His adversaries primarily, but on the individual in need. This direct address personifies the issue and highlights His compassionate concern.
- who had the withered hand: This descriptive phrase highlights the man's affliction (τὴν χεῖρα ἔχοντα ξηράν - tēn cheira echonta xēran). "Withered" (ξηράν - xēran) denotes a dried, shrunken, and therefore useless limb, possibly due to paralysis or atrophy. This condition was clearly visible and presented an immediate case for Jesus' healing power, yet also an immediate legalistic dilemma for His observers regarding Sabbath observance. The public nature of this man's disability made him a focal point and the potential miracle undeniable.
- "Step forward.": (ἔγειρε εἰς τὸ μέσον - egeire eis to meson). The imperative verb "egeire" (ἔγειρε) means "stand up," "arise," or "get up." Combined with "eis to meson" (εἰς τὸ μέσον), meaning "into the midst" or "in the middle," it translates literally to "Arise into the midst." This is not merely an invitation but an authoritative command for the man to move into the central, public view of the synagogue assembly. This action would bring his condition, and Jesus' subsequent act, to the undeniable attention of everyone present, including the scrutinizing Pharisees. Jesus forces a public test case, daring them to object before or during the miracle. This directness bypasses any pretense of subtlety or hiding, asserting His divine prerogative in a challenging situation.
Words-group analysis
- "And he said to the man who had the withered hand,": This phrase establishes Jesus' direct and personal engagement with the suffering individual, despite the scrutinizing presence of the religious authorities. It shows His pastoral care preceding His confrontation with legalism.
- "“Step forward.”": This command, issued publicly and intentionally, forces the man with the withered hand into a position where he becomes the center of attention. This action by Jesus serves a dual purpose: to prepare for a miracle and to expose the legalistic hardness of heart of those observing Him. By drawing the man into the "midst" (μέσον - meson), Jesus creates an unavoidable spectacle and challenge to the existing Sabbath laws as interpreted by the Pharisees. It implies both an act of faith for the man to obey and a direct confrontation for the observers.
Mark 3 3 Bonus section
- The man's obedience to Jesus' command to "step forward" indicates a measure of faith, as he was putting himself on public display in his infirmity, trusting Jesus despite the implicit tension in the room. His willingness to act served as a prelude to his healing.
- Jesus' question in Mark 3:4, following this command ("Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?"), immediately clarifies His intentionality. He sought to provoke a discussion not on legality, but on the moral imperative of actively doing good, which directly challenged the Pharisees' inaction and perceived plot.
- This verse and the subsequent healing exemplify the shift from external ritual to internal righteousness, highlighting Jesus' teaching that divine law, including the Sabbath, finds its truest expression in acts of love and mercy.
Mark 3 3 Commentary
Mark 3:3 sets the stage for a critical confrontation between Jesus and the religious establishment over the true meaning and application of the Sabbath. Jesus deliberately initiates this encounter, commanding the afflicted man to move into the public gaze within the synagogue. This action is not a passive request but a challenge, compelling both the man and the watchful Pharisees to act. By bringing the man's suffering into the open, Jesus exposes the cold indifference of those who would prioritize a rigid, man-made interpretation of the law over an act of compassion. Jesus’ directness reveals His purpose to restore dignity to individuals and to redefine religious practice, emphasizing mercy and doing good. This bold move underscores Jesus’ authority as the "Lord of the Sabbath" and His unwavering commitment to relieving human suffering, even at great personal risk, rather than complying with oppressive traditions.