Luke 6:10

KJV

And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} looking round about upon {G4017} them {G846} all {G3956}, he said {G2036} unto the man {G444}, Stretch forth {G1614} thy {G4675} hand {G5495}. And {G1161} he did {G4160} so {G3779}: and {G2532} his {G846} hand {G5495} was restored {G600} whole {G5199} as {G5613} the other {G243}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then, after looking around at all of them, he said to the man, "Hold out your hand." As he held it out, his hand was restored.

Berean Standard Bible

And after looking around at all of them, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so, and it was restored.

American Standard Version

And he looked round about on them all, and said unto him, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 6:10 presents a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry, where He confronts the rigid legalism of the religious leaders by performing a miraculous healing on the Sabbath. In a synagogue, surrounded by watchful scribes and Pharisees, Jesus commands a man with a withered hand to stretch it forth. The man's immediate obedience results in instantaneous and complete restoration, powerfully demonstrating Jesus' divine authority, profound compassion, and His true interpretation of the Sabbath's purpose as a day for doing good and showing mercy.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Luke 6:10 is embedded within a series of Sabbath controversies that define the early part of Luke's Gospel, starting with the disciples plucking grain on the Sabbath ([Luke 6:1-5](/luke/6-1-5 "Luke 6:1-5 - Disciples Pluck Grain on the Sabbath")). Jesus' declaration that "the Son of Man is Lord even of the sabbath day" ([Luke 6:5](/luke/6-5 "Luke 6:5 - Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath")) sets the stage for this confrontation. The preceding verses explicitly state that the scribes and Pharisees were "watching him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him" ([Luke 6:7](/luke/6-7 "Luke 6:7 - Pharisees Watch Jesus")). Jesus, fully aware of their malicious intent, directly addresses their unspoken question by asking, "I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?" ([Luke 6:9](/luke/6-9 "Luke 6:9 - Jesus' Question on the Sabbath")). The healing in Luke 6:10 is thus a deliberate and public act, designed to expose the hypocrisy of His accusers and affirm His authority over human traditions.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Sabbath, a cornerstone of Jewish law, was originally given as a day of rest and worship, commemorating God's rest after creation and Israel's deliverance from slavery. Over centuries, particularly during the Second Temple period, rabbinic traditions and interpretations (halakha) had accumulated, transforming the Sabbath into a complex web of prohibitions. The Pharisees, known for their meticulous adherence to these oral traditions, viewed any activity resembling "work" as a violation. Healing, unless life-threatening, was generally considered forbidden. A withered hand, while debilitating, was not typically seen as an immediate life-or-death situation. Synagogues served as community centers for worship, teaching, and legal discussions, making this public healing a direct challenge to the religious establishment's authority and interpretation of the Mosaic Law. The man's condition would have rendered him socially marginalized, as physical deformities were often associated with sin or divine displeasure in that cultural context.

* **Key Themes:** This passage powerfully highlights several key themes central to Luke's Gospel and Jesus' ministry. Firstly, it underscores **Jesus' divine authority** not only over sickness and physical ailments but also over the very interpretation of God's law. His actions demonstrate that He is the ultimate arbiter of truth and righteousness, transcending human traditions. Secondly, it emphasizes **Jesus' profound compassion** for human suffering, prioritizing the immediate need of the afflicted individual over rigid religious rules. This compassion is a hallmark of Luke's portrayal of Jesus, who consistently reaches out to the marginalized and suffering. Thirdly, the event serves as a direct **challenge to legalism and hypocrisy**. Jesus exposes the spiritual blindness of the Pharisees, who were more concerned with external observance and finding fault than with genuine mercy and the spirit of the law. Finally, it reinforces the theme of **the true purpose of the Sabbath**, revealing it as a day for mercy, good deeds, and the restoration of life, rather than a day for burdensome restrictions that hinder acts of love. This aligns with Jesus' broader teaching that the Sabbath was made for humanity, not humanity for the Sabbath ([Mark 2:27](/mark/2-27 "Mark 2:27 - The Sabbath Made for Man")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **looking round about (Greek, _periblépō'_):** From G4017, meaning "to look all around." This word emphasizes Jesus' full awareness of the hostile environment and the scrutiny of the Pharisees. He was not acting impulsively but deliberately, fully conscious of the implications and the accusations they sought to levy against Him. It signifies His intentionality in this public display of divine authority and compassion.
* **Stretch forth (Greek, _ekteínō'_):** From G1614, meaning "to extend" or "stretch forth (out)." This is Jesus' direct command to the man. It is a command that requires an act of faith and obedience from the man, as his hand was withered and presumably incapable of such a movement. The command itself is a test, not just of the man's faith, but also a challenge to the onlookers, as it initiates an act of "work" on the Sabbath.
* **restored (Greek, _apokathístēmi'_):** From G600, meaning "to reconstitute (in health, home or organization); to restore (again)." This powerful verb indicates not merely an improvement or partial healing, but a complete and perfect return to the hand's original, healthy state. It underscores the absolute and comprehensive nature of Jesus' miraculous power, leaving no doubt about the divine efficacy of the healing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And looking round about upon them all":** This opening phrase highlights Jesus' full awareness of the surrounding tension and the malicious intent of the scribes and Pharisees. He is not caught unawares but deliberately chooses to act in the face of their scrutiny, emphasizing His sovereignty and control over the situation. This "looking around" is a pregnant pause, building dramatic tension before His decisive action.
* **"he said unto the man, ‘Stretch forth thy hand.’":** Jesus' command is direct, authoritative, and seemingly impossible for a man with a withered hand. This command serves multiple purposes: it tests the man's faith and obedience, it publicly challenges the legalistic interpretations of the Sabbath by initiating an act that would be deemed "work," and it demonstrates Jesus' power to command physical reality. The imperative "Stretch forth" demands an immediate and active response.
* **"And he did so":** This simple phrase speaks volumes about the man's faith and immediate obedience. Despite his physical limitation and the public nature of the command, he attempts the impossible. His willingness to obey, even before seeing the result, is crucial to the miracle's unfolding and serves as an example of responsive faith.
* **"and his hand was restored whole as the other.":** The immediate and complete nature of the healing is emphasized. The withered hand is not merely improved but made "whole as the other," indicating a perfect restoration. This is the divine validation of Jesus' authority and compassion, a tangible proof of His power that silences His accusers, at least momentarily, and glorifies God.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 6:10 is rich in **Dramatic Irony**, as the religious leaders, who claim to uphold God's law, are revealed to be spiritually blind and more concerned with human traditions than with God's compassion. Their "watching" of Jesus, intended to find fault, ironically leads to a public demonstration of His divine power and goodness. The **Symbolism** of the withered hand is also significant; it represents not only physical brokenness but perhaps also the spiritual paralysis and inability to "do good" that characterized the legalistic system Jesus was confronting. The act of "stretching forth" the hand can be seen as a **Metaphor** for spiritual obedience and active faith, which, when exercised in response to Christ's command, leads to complete restoration. The rapid sequence of command, obedience, and immediate healing creates a sense of **Climax** and resolution, powerfully affirming Jesus' identity and mission.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This miraculous healing profoundly illustrates the nature of God's kingdom, where compassion and restoration supersede rigid legalism. Jesus, as the embodiment of God's mercy, consistently challenges human-made boundaries that hinder acts of love and healing. His actions on the Sabbath reveal that the true intent of God's law is not to burden humanity but to bless and restore. This event foreshadows the ultimate spiritual restoration available through Christ, where broken lives are made whole, and spiritual paralysis is overcome by divine grace and empowering faith. It underscores the truth that God delights in mercy more than sacrifice, and that genuine worship involves acts of righteousness and compassion towards others.

* [Matthew 12:9-14](/matthew/12-9-14 "Matthew 12:9-14 - Jesus Heals on the Sabbath")
* [Mark 3:1-6](/mark/3-1-6 "Mark 3:1-6 - Jesus Heals a Withered Hand on the Sabbath")
* [Hosea 6:6](/hosea/6-6 "Hosea 6:6 - God Desires Mercy, Not Sacrifice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 6:10 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers, urging us to examine our own hearts and practices. Are we, like the Pharisees, sometimes more concerned with external rules and traditions than with genuine compassion and the needs of those around us? This passage calls us to prioritize acts of love, mercy, and justice, even when they challenge conventional norms or personal comfort. The man's immediate obedience, despite his physical limitation, serves as a powerful reminder that faith often requires us to act even when circumstances seem impossible. God's power is revealed in our willingness to step out in trust, stretching forth our "withered hands" in obedience to His call. We are reminded that God desires our complete wholeness—spiritually, emotionally, and physically—and that His restorative power is available to us when we respond in faith.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be prioritizing human traditions or rigid interpretations over genuine compassion and acts of love in my own life or community?**
* **What "withered hands" (areas of weakness, brokenness, or impossibility) in my life or the lives of others is God calling me to "stretch forth" in faith and obedience?**
* **How can I better embody Jesus' compassion and challenge legalistic attitudes within my sphere of influence, always seeking to do good and save life?**

### FAQ
**Why was healing on the Sabbath such a contentious issue for the Pharisees?**

Answer: For the Pharisees, healing on the Sabbath, unless it was a life-threatening emergency, was considered "work" and therefore a violation of the Sabbath law. They had developed an elaborate system of oral traditions and interpretations (halakha) that defined what constituted work. While the Old Testament commanded rest on the Sabbath, these traditions went far beyond the biblical text, creating a legalistic burden. Jesus' healings on the Sabbath directly challenged their authority and their understanding of God's law, as He demonstrated that acts of mercy and doing good were always permissible and indeed, commanded, on the Sabbath. His actions exposed the spiritual blindness of those who valued human rules over divine compassion, as highlighted in [Matthew 12:10-12](/matthew/12-10-12 "Matthew 12:10-12 - Is it Lawful to Heal on the Sabbath?").

**What is the significance of the man's immediate obedience in stretching forth his hand?**

Answer: The man's immediate obedience is highly significant because his hand was withered, implying it was atrophied and likely incapable of such a movement. His act was one of profound faith. He did not question Jesus, nor did he wait for a visible sign of healing before attempting to obey. This immediate, faith-filled response was crucial for the miracle to occur. It demonstrates that while Jesus' power is sovereign, He often invites human participation and faith as a catalyst for divine intervention. His obedience contrasts sharply with the spiritual paralysis of the religious leaders, who were unwilling to "stretch forth" their own hearts in compassion or understanding, as seen in their hardened hearts in [Mark 3:5](/mark/3-5 "Mark 3:5 - Jesus' Anger at Hardened Hearts").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 6:10, with its powerful display of physical restoration, points profoundly to the Christ-centered fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. Jesus' ability to restore a withered hand "whole as the other" is a tangible sign of His ultimate mission: to bring spiritual wholeness and restoration to a humanity withered by sin. Just as the man's hand was made new, Christ's death and resurrection offer complete renewal for those who are spiritually dead or crippled by sin, making them "new creations" ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")). His authority over physical ailment foreshadows His supreme authority over sin, death, and the law itself. The Sabbath, a shadow of the rest God intended for His people, finds its true meaning and fulfillment in Christ, who is our ultimate Sabbath rest ([Hebrews 4:9-10](/hebrews/4-9-10 "Hebrews 4:9-10 - A Sabbath Rest Remains for the People of God")). Through Him, we enter into a spiritual rest from our striving and a restoration of our relationship with God, far surpassing any physical healing. This miracle, therefore, is not merely an act of compassion but a powerful declaration that in Jesus, God's kingdom has come, bringing an era of complete restoration and liberation from all forms of brokenness, ultimately culminating in the new heavens and new earth where all things are made new ([Revelation 21:5](/revelation/21-5 "Revelation 21:5 - Behold, I Make All Things New")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Mark 3:5

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.

Exodus 4:6

And the LORD said furthermore unto him, Put now thine hand into thy bosom. And he put his hand into his bosom: and when he took it out, behold, his hand [was] leprous as snow.

Exodus 4:7

And he said, Put thine hand into thy bosom again. And he put his hand into his bosom again; and plucked it out of his bosom, and, behold, it was turned again as his [other] flesh.

Psalms 107:20

He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered [them] from their destructions.

John 5:8

Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.

1 Kings 13:6

And the king answered and said unto the man of God, Intreat now the face of the LORD thy God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored me again. And the man of God besought the LORD, and the king's hand was restored him again, and became as [it was] before.