Matthew 12:10

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

A man there had a shriveled hand. Looking for a reason to accuse him of something, they asked him, "Is healing permitted on Shabbat?"

Berean Standard Bible:

and a man with a withered hand was there. In order to accuse Jesus, they asked Him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”

American Standard Version:

and behold, a man having a withered hand. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day? that they might accuse him.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And^{G2532}, behold^{G2400}, there was^{G2258} a man^{G444} which had^{G2192} his hand^{G5495} withered^{G3584}. And^{G2532} they asked^{G1905} him^{G846}, saying^{G3004}, Is it lawful^{{G1487}{G1832}} to heal^{G2323} on the sabbath days^{G4521}? that^{G2443} they might accuse^{G2723} him^{G846}.

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Commentary for Matthew 12:10

Matthew 12:10 is a verse that captures a moment of tension between Jesus and the religious leaders of the time, specifically the Pharisees. The historical context is rooted in the strict observance of the Sabbath, a day of rest and worship as commanded in the Mosaic Law (Exodus 20:8-11). The Pharisees had developed a complex set of rules to ensure that no work was done on the Sabbath, and healing was considered by them to be a form of work, thus prohibited on this holy day.

In this verse, Jesus is presented with a man who has a withered hand. The Pharisees, seeking to trap Jesus and find a reason to accuse him of breaking the law, ask him whether it is lawful to heal on the Sabbath. Their question is not sincere but is rather a legalistic challenge meant to undermine Jesus' authority and popularity among the people.

The themes present in this verse include the tension between legalism and compassion, the nature of the Sabbath, and the authority of Jesus. Jesus' response to the Pharisees, as seen in the subsequent verses, emphasizes that acts of mercy, such as healing, are appropriate on the Sabbath. He illustrates that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath (Mark 2:27), and that human need takes precedence over ceremonial regulations. This confrontation also highlights Jesus' mission to bring spiritual restoration, often challenging the rigid religious structures of his time, and demonstrates his divine authority to interpret and fulfill the law.

*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: G2400
   There are 204 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἰδού
   Transliteration: idoú
   Pronunciation: id-oo'
   Description: second person singular imperative middle voice of εἴδω; used as imperative lo!; --behold, lo, see.
   
3. Strong's Number: G2258
   There are 416 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἦν
   Transliteration: ēn
   Pronunciation: ane
   Description: imperfect of εἰμί; I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were):--+ agree, be, X have (+ charge of), hold, use, was(-t), were.
   
4. Strong's Number: G444
   There are 614 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἄνθρωπος
   Transliteration: ánthrōpos
   Pronunciation: anth'-ro-pos
   Description: from ἀνήρ and (the countenance; from ὀπτάνομαι); man-faced, i.e. a human being:--certain, man.
   
5. Strong's Number: G2192
   There are 628 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἔχω
   Transliteration: échō
   Pronunciation: skheh'-o
   Description: a primary verb; to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or condition):--be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use.
   
6. Strong's Number: G5495
   There are 171 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: χείρ
   Transliteration: cheír
   Pronunciation: khire
   Description: perhaps from the base of χειμών in the sense of its congener the base of χάσμα (through the idea of hollowness for grasping); the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by Hebraism) a means or instrument):--hand.
   
7. Strong's Number: G3584
   There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ξηρός
   Transliteration: xērós
   Pronunciation: xay-ros'
   Description: from the base of ξέστης (through the idea of scorching); arid; by implication, shrunken, earth (as opposed to water):--dry land, withered.
   
8. Strong's Number: G1905
   There are 58 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐπερωτάω
   Transliteration: eperōtáō
   Pronunciation: ep-er-o-tah'-o
   Description: from ἐπί and ἐρωτάω; to ask for, i.e. inquire, seek:--ask (after, questions), demand, desire, question.
   
9. 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.
   
10. 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.
    
11. Strong's Number: G1487
    There are 271 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: εἰ
    Transliteration: ei
    Pronunciation: i
    Description: a primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.:--forasmuch as, if, that, (al-)though, whether. Often used in connection or composition with other particles, especially as in εἴγε, εἰ δὲ μή(γε), εἰ καί, εἰ μή, εἰ μή τι, εἴ περ, εἴ πως, εἴ τις, ἐκ. See also ἐάν.
    
12. 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).
    
13. Strong's Number: G2323
    There are 43 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: θεραπεύω
    Transliteration: therapeúō
    Pronunciation: ther-ap-yoo'-o
    Description: from the same as θεράπων; to wait upon menially, i.e. (figuratively) to adore (God), or (specially) to relieve (of disease):--cure, heal, worship.
    
14. 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.
    
15. Strong's Number: G2443
    There are 535 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἵνα
    Transliteration: hína
    Pronunciation: hin'-ah
    Description: probably from the same as the former part of ἑαυτοῦ (through the demonstrative idea; compare ὁ); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result):--albeit, because, to the intent (that), lest, so as, (so) that, (for) to. Compare ἵνα μή.
    
16. Strong's Number: G2723
    There are 21 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: κατηγορέω
    Transliteration: katēgoréō
    Pronunciation: kat-ay-gor-eh'-o
    Description: from κατήγορος; to be a plaintiff, i.e. to charge with some offence:--accuse, object.