Mark 3:4

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Then to them he said, "What is permitted on Shabbat? Doing good or doing evil? Saving life or killing?" But they said nothing.

Berean Standard Bible:

And He asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?” But they were silent.

American Standard Version:

And he saith unto them, Is it lawful on the sabbath day to do good, or to do harm? to save a life, or to kill? But they held their peace.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And^{G2532} he saith^{G3004} unto them^{G846}, Is it lawful^{G1832} to do good^{G15} on the sabbath days^{G4521}, or^{G2228} to do evil^{G2554}? to save^{G4982} life^{G5590}, or^{G2228} to kill^{G615}? But^{G1161} they held their peace^{G4623}.

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Commentary for Mark 3:4

Mark 3:4 is a verse that captures a moment of tension and debate within the Gospel of Mark, which is one of the four canonical Gospels in the New Testament. This scene takes place during the early ministry of Jesus in Galilee. The historical context of this verse is rooted in the Jewish observance of the Sabbath, a day of rest and worship that is commanded in the Torah (Exodus 20:8-11) and was central to Jewish religious and cultural identity.

In the verse, Jesus is addressing the Pharisees and other religious leaders who are scrutinizing his actions on the Sabbath. The Pharisees were a Jewish sect known for their strict adherence to the Law of Moses and the traditional interpretations of this law. Jesus' question, "Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill?" challenges the legalistic approach to Sabbath observance that prioritized rules over human need. Jesus is emphasizing that the Sabbath should be a day of compassion and mercy, not a burden that prevents acts of kindness or necessary care for others.

The themes present in this verse include the importance of compassion over legalism, the reinterpretation of religious laws in light of their purpose and intent, and the inherent goodness of saving life. Jesus' rhetorical question implies that the Sabbath laws were never intended to prohibit acts of mercy and that the higher moral law of loving and serving one's neighbor supersedes ritual observance. This confrontation also foreshadows the ongoing conflict between Jesus and the religious establishment, which will eventually lead to his crucifixion.

In summary, Mark 3:4 reflects a critical moment where Jesus questions the prevailing interpretation of Sabbath laws, advocating for a more compassionate and flexible approach that values human life and well-being above religious regulations. This verse underscores a key theme in the Gospels: the transformative nature of Jesus' ministry, which often challenges traditional views and practices in favor of deeper spiritual truths and ethical imperatives.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G2532
   There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καί
   Transliteration: kaí
   Pronunciation: kahee
   Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: G3004
   There are 1244 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: λέγω
   Transliteration: légō
   Pronunciation: leg'-o
   Description: a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas ἔπω and φημί generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while ῥέω is properly to break silence merely, and λαλέω means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
   
3. Strong's Number: G846
   There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αὐτός
   Transliteration: autós
   Pronunciation: ow-tos'
   Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
   
4. Strong's Number: G1832
   There are 30 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἔξεστι
   Transliteration: éxesti
   Pronunciation: ex-on'
   Description: third person singular present indicative of a compound of ἐκ and εἰμί; so also neuter present participle of the same (with or without some form of εἰμί expressed); impersonally, it is right (through the figurative idea of being out in public):--be lawful, let, X may(-est).
   
5. Strong's Number: G15
   There are 3477 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀγαθοποιέω
   Transliteration: agathopoiéō
   Pronunciation: ag-ath-op-oy-eh'-o
   Description: from ἀγαθοποιός; to be a well-doer (as a favor or a duty):--(when) do good (well).
   
6. Strong's Number: G4521
   There are 62 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: σάββατον
   Transliteration: sábbaton
   Pronunciation: sab'-bat-on
   Description: of Hebrew origin (שַׁבָּת); the Sabbath (i.e. Shabbath), or day of weekly repose from secular avocations (also the observance or institution itself); by extension, a se'nnight, i.e. the interval between two Sabbaths; likewise the plural in all the above applications:--sabbath (day), week.
   
7. Strong's Number: G2228
   There are 283 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἤ
   Transliteration: ḗ
   Pronunciation: ay
   Description: a primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than:--and, but (either), (n-)either, except it be, (n-)or (else), rather, save, than, that, what, yea. Often used in connection with other particles. Compare especially ἤδη, ἤπερ, ἤτοι.
   
8. Strong's Number: G2554
   There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: κακοποιέω
   Transliteration: kakopoiéō
   Pronunciation: kak-op-oy-eh'-o
   Description: from κακοποιός; to be a bad-doer, i.e. (objectively) to injure, or (genitive) to sin:--do(ing) evil.
   
9. Strong's Number: G4982
   There are 103 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: σώζω
   Transliteration: sṓzō
   Pronunciation: sode'-zo
   Description: from a primary (contraction for obsolete , "safe"); to save, i.e. deliver or protect (literally or figuratively):--heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole.
   
10. Strong's Number: G5590
    There are 95 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ψυχή
    Transliteration: psychḗ
    Pronunciation: psoo-khay'
    Description: from ψύχω; breath, i.e. (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from πνεῦμα, which is the rational and immortal soul; and on the other from ζωή, which is mere vitality, even of plants: these terms thus exactly correspond respectively to the Hebrew נֶפֶשׁ, רוּחַ and חַי):--heart (+ -ily), life, mind, soul, + us, + you.
    
11. Strong's Number: G615
    There are 71 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀποκτείνω
    Transliteration: apokteínō
    Pronunciation: ap-ok-ti'-no
    Description: from ἀπό and (to slay); to kill outright; figuratively, to destroy:--put to death, kill, slay.
    
12. Strong's Number: G1161
    There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: δέ
    Transliteration: dé
    Pronunciation: deh
    Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
    
13. Strong's Number: G4623
    There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: σιωπάω
    Transliteration: siōpáō
    Pronunciation: see-o-pah'-o
    Description: from (silence, i.e. a hush; properly, muteness, i.e. involuntary stillness, or inability to speak; and thus differing from σιγή, which is rather a voluntary refusal or indisposition to speak, although the terms are often used synonymously); to be dumb (but not deaf also, like 2974 properly); figuratively, to be calm (as quiet water):--dumb, (hold) peace.