Matthew 12 10

Matthew 12:10 kjv

And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.

Matthew 12:10 nkjv

And behold, there was a man who had a withered hand. And they asked Him, saying, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?"?that they might accuse Him.

Matthew 12:10 niv

and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to bring charges against Jesus, they asked him, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?"

Matthew 12:10 esv

And a man was there with a withered hand. And they asked him, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?" ? so that they might accuse him.

Matthew 12:10 nlt

where he noticed a man with a deformed hand. The Pharisees asked Jesus, "Does the law permit a person to work by healing on the Sabbath?" (They were hoping he would say yes, so they could bring charges against him.)

Matthew 12 verses

Matthew 12 10 Meaning

Matthew 12:10 describes the presence of a man in the synagogue on the Sabbath, whose hand was disabled or atrophied, rendering it useless. This observation immediately sets the stage for a significant encounter between Jesus, this man, and the observant religious leaders who were present. It highlights the profound physical need of an individual and, by extension, the larger human condition requiring divine intervention, contrasting sharply with the legalistic concerns of the Pharisees who observed Jesus for an opportunity to accuse Him.

Matthew 12 10 Context

Matthew chapter 12 details a series of encounters and teachings by Jesus concerning the Sabbath. The preceding verses (Mt 12:1-8) recount Jesus's disciples plucking grain on the Sabbath and Jesus defending their actions, asserting His authority as "Lord of the Sabbath." The Pharisees, intensely devoted to their interpretation of the Mosaic Law, especially regarding Sabbath regulations, were scrutinizing Jesus, seeking grounds to accuse Him of breaking their traditions.

This verse (Mt 12:10) introduces a specific scenario within a synagogue setting, highlighting the physical presence of a man with a withered hand. The synagogue was a central place for Jewish community, worship, and teaching. Pharisees, as the influential interpreters and upholders of the oral law, would often be present, vigilantly observing. The legalistic environment prevalent at the time, particularly among the Pharisees, had burdened the Sabbath with numerous prohibitive rules that often overshadowed its original purpose of rest, spiritual refreshment, and doing good. This man's condition, therefore, sets the stage for a direct challenge to the Pharisees' rigid legalism, providing Jesus an opportunity to demonstrate God's compassionate will through healing on the Sabbath, thereby illustrating His understanding of divine law and His identity as Messiah.

Matthew 12 10 Word analysis

• And behold: Greek kai idou (καὶ ἰδοὺ). This phrase is a common Hebraism used to introduce something new, significant, or noteworthy. It functions like a verbal spotlight, drawing the reader's attention to what is about to be presented as crucial or even dramatic. It heightens the tension and points to an event that will trigger a reaction.

• there was: Greek ēn (ἦν). This imperfect tense of "to be" signifies a continuous state or an ongoing condition. It highlights that the man's "withered hand" was not a momentary affliction but a persistent, chronic disability.

• a man: Greek anthrōpos (ἄνθρωπος). A general term for a human being. The lack of a specific name universalizes his condition, making him a representation of all who suffer and are in need of God's healing and mercy. His anonymity draws focus to his condition rather than his individual identity.

• who had: Greek echōn (ἔχων). Present active participle, further emphasizing the man's possession of or being in the state of having this condition. It is directly linked to the man, describing his intrinsic state at that moment.

• a withered hand: Greek cheira xyran (χεῖρα ξηράν).

  • cheira (χεῖρα): "hand." The hand is a vital instrument for work, self-sufficiency, and daily interaction. A disabled hand profoundly impacts a person's life, leading to dependency or an inability to earn a living.
  • xyran (ξηράν): "withered," "dried up," "shriveled," "atrophied," or "paralyzed." It suggests a state where the normal, healthy function has been lost due to disease, atrophy, or injury. This condition implies a permanent and noticeable physical impairment, indicating not just pain but a complete loss of function and vitality in the limb. This is not a superficial wound but a deeply incapacitating condition.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "And behold, there was": This emphatic opening alerts the audience to the critical entrance of this individual, signalling that his presence is not mere coincidence but central to the narrative about to unfold. It highlights the direct setup for conflict or divine demonstration.
  • "a man who had a withered hand": This specific description immediately paints a picture of severe physical disability and chronic suffering. The emphasis on the "withered hand" specifically draws attention to a common Jewish point of contention regarding the Sabbath—healing. The man's presence with this undeniable affliction serves as a silent, powerful plea for mercy, standing in stark contrast to the watchful and legalistic attitudes of Jesus's opponents. His very existence on that day and in that place becomes a pivotal test of priorities.

Matthew 12 10 Bonus section

• The specified "withered hand" is medically suggestive of conditions like muscular atrophy or paralysis resulting from nerve damage, which would be permanent and render the hand useless, severely impacting daily life and work.
• Though not explicitly stated, the parallel accounts (Mk 3:2, Lk 6:7) reveal that the Pharisees were already intently watching Jesus, looking for any excuse to accuse Him of breaking their Sabbath traditions. This man's presence therefore presented a perfect opportunity for their observation and an ultimate test for Jesus's principles.
• The conflict established by this verse highlights the tension between the letter of the law and the spirit of the law. While the Pharisees emphasized detailed Sabbath rules to the point of rigidity, Jesus consistently demonstrated that true piety involves love, mercy, and compassion, especially for those in need, which aligns with the core principles of God's heart (Hos 6:6).
• The "hand" is a symbolic representation of one's ability to act, to produce, to work, and to contribute. A withered hand could also metaphorically represent a spiritual inability to bear fruit or perform good works due to legalism or a lack of spiritual vitality. Jesus's healing would then signify restoration not only physically but potentially spiritually, empowering one to act in God's will.

Matthew 12 10 Commentary

Matthew 12:10 serves as a succinct, yet potent, prelude to one of Jesus's direct confrontations with legalism concerning the Sabbath. The description of the "man who had a withered hand" is precise, establishing the human suffering at the heart of the ensuing theological and practical debate. His chronic, debilitating condition, specifically impacting his hand (an instrument of work and self-reliance), symbolizes deep-seated human incapacitation and need. The narrative, by introducing this man into the synagogue on the Sabbath, intentionally pits human compassion and the divine impulse to restore against the rigid, meticulous interpretation of the law practiced by the Pharisees.

The "behold" (kai idou) emphasizes the critical nature of this observation—it's not just a man, but the man, whose condition becomes the focal point. The Pharisees were actively looking for a reason to accuse Jesus (as noted in the subsequent verse). His presence therefore becomes either a deliberate test arranged by the religious leaders or a divinely appointed opportunity for Jesus to demonstrate the true spirit of the Sabbath, which permits acts of mercy and the alleviation of suffering. This verse sets the stage for Jesus to affirm that saving a life or performing good acts is not a violation of the Sabbath, but rather its truest fulfillment, prioritizing divine compassion over man-made restrictions.