Man with Withered Hand Healed

Illustration of Man with Withered Hand Healed
In a synagogue on the Sabbath, with critics watching, Jesus told a man with a withered hand to stretch it out. He did - and it was restored, whole as the other.

Jesus encountered a man with a withered hand in a synagogue on the Sabbath and restored the hand to full health by instructing the man to stretch it out. The watching Pharisees objected, viewing the act as unlawful work that violated Sabbath regulations, which prompted their anger and set the stage for direct confrontation. This event highlights Jesus' authority over the Sabbath, emphasizing mercy and human need above rigid legalism as taught in the law. In Scripture it marks an early turning point where religious leaders began plotting against him, illustrating broader themes of compassion triumphing over tradition in the Gospels.

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Details

Category
Healing
Testament
New Testament
Performed by
Jesus

Key Chapters

Mark 3 Appointing the Twelve 4 min read This passage shows Jesus valuing compassion over rigid rules, teaching us that m...

Key Passages

The Miracle

Mark 3:1-5

This passage shows Jesus valuing compassion over rigid rules, teaching us that mercy and restoration reflect God's true heart.

A1nd he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand.

2 And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him. 3 And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth. 4 And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace. 5 And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.

Explore Related

Characters 1

Jesus Jesus is portrayed in the Bible as the Son of God and the long-awaited Messiah whose coming fulfilled Oldโ€ฆ

Themes 3

Faith Without faith it is impossible to please God. From Abraham leaving everything for an unknown land to aโ€ฆ Mercy Mercy in the Bible is not weakness - it is the deliberate choice of the all-powerful to spare the guilty.โ€ฆ Hope Hope in the Bible is not wishful thinking - it is confident expectation anchored in the character of God.โ€ฆ

Did You Know?

1

The man had a withered hand in the synagogue on the Sabbath. The Pharisees were watching to see if Jesus would heal.

2

Jesus asked a direct question: 'Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm?' They remained silent.

3

He healed the man and the Pharisees immediately began plotting to destroy Him.

4

This is one of the clearest examples of Jesus deliberately confronting religious legalism with mercy.