Mark 3:1

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

And {G2532} he entered {G1525} again {G3825} into {G1519} the synagogue {G4864}; and {G2532} there was {G2258} a man {G444} there {G1563} which had {G2192} a withered {G3583} hand {G5495}.

Yeshua went again into a synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there.

Once again Jesus entered the synagogue, and a man with a withered hand was there.

And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there who had his hand withered.

Mark 3:1 opens a pivotal narrative in Jesus' ministry, setting the stage for a direct confrontation with the religious authorities over the proper observance of the Sabbath. The verse states, "And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand."

Context

This verse immediately follows a period of escalating tension between Jesus and the Pharisees regarding Sabbath laws. In the preceding chapter, Jesus' disciples plucked grain on the Sabbath, prompting a rebuke from the Pharisees, to which Jesus responded by declaring that "The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath" (Mark 2:27). Entering the synagogue "again" highlights Jesus' consistent practice of teaching and healing in these central places of Jewish community and worship, as seen previously in Mark 1:21 and Mark 1:39. The presence of a man with a "withered hand" immediately signals a potential for healing, thus creating a test case for Jesus' authority and the Pharisees' legalistic interpretations on the Sabbath.

Key Themes

  • Sabbath Authority: The primary theme is Jesus' understanding and application of the Sabbath law, which stands in stark contrast to the rigid, burdensome interpretations of the Pharisees. Jesus consistently demonstrates that acts of mercy and healing are appropriate, even commanded, on the Sabbath.
  • Compassion vs. Legalism: The man's condition highlights human suffering and need. Jesus' immediate concern for healing contrasts with the Pharisees' overriding concern for strict adherence to their traditional rules, even at the expense of human well-being.
  • Divine Power and Purpose: Jesus' entry into the synagogue and the presence of the afflicted man set the scene for a powerful demonstration of His divine authority over sickness and religious tradition.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "withered hand" translates from the Greek ξηρὰν χεῖρα (xēran cheira), literally meaning "dry hand." This term typically describes a limb that has become shrunken, atrophied, or paralyzed, rendering it useless. Such a condition would have caused significant physical disability and likely social ostracism in ancient society, emphasizing the man's profound need for healing.

Practical Application

Mark 3:1 reminds us that true worship and obedience to God are not found in rigid adherence to rules for their own sake, but in acts of love, compassion, and mercy towards others. Jesus consistently prioritized human need and the spirit of the law over burdensome traditions. For believers today, this verse challenges us to consider whether our religious practices are truly life-giving and compassionate, or if they have become obstacles to showing God's love to those in need. It also underscores Jesus' ever-present power to heal and restore, both physically and spiritually, often in the very places where we gather for worship.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 12:9

    And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue:

  • Matthew 12:14

    ¶ Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.

  • Luke 6:6

    And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered.

  • Luke 6:11

    And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.

  • Mark 1:21

    And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.

  • 1 Kings 13:4

    And it came to pass, when king Jeroboam heard the saying of the man of God, which had cried against the altar in Bethel, that he put forth his hand from the altar, saying, Lay hold on him. And his hand, which he put forth against him, dried up, so that he could not pull it in again to him.

  • John 5:3

    In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.

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