Mark 3:4

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.

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}.

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

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.

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.

Context of Mark 3:4

This verse is part of a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry, occurring in a synagogue on the Sabbath day. Jesus encounters a man with a withered hand, and the religious leaders—Pharisees and Herodians—are present, meticulously watching Him to find an accusation. This follows previous controversies where Jesus' disciples plucked grain on the Sabbath (Mark 2:23-28), prompting a debate about the Sabbath's true purpose. Here, Jesus directly confronts their legalistic interpretation, forcing them to consider the moral implications of their rigid rules.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The True Purpose of the Sabbath: Jesus' question cuts to the heart of the Sabbath commandment. It was intended as a day of rest and blessing, not a burden. By asking if it's lawful "to do good or to do evil," Jesus emphasizes that acts of compassion and mercy are always appropriate, even on the Sabbath. The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath, as Jesus declared in Mark 2:27.
  • Compassion vs. Legalism: The verse highlights the stark contrast between Jesus' radical compassion and the religious leaders' rigid legalism. They were more concerned with upholding their interpretations of the law than with alleviating human suffering. Jesus prioritizes saving life and doing good over the letter of the law when it becomes oppressive.
  • Jesus' Authority: Jesus' direct challenge demonstrates His divine authority to interpret and fulfill the Law. He doesn't shy away from confronting hypocrisy, even when it puts Him at odds with powerful religious figures.
  • The Silence of the Accusers: The phrase "But they held their peace" is profoundly telling. Their silence reveals their inability to answer Jesus' morally unassailable question without exposing their own hardened hearts and misplaced priorities. Their refusal to acknowledge the truth further underscores their spiritual blindness, leading directly to Jesus' grief in the following verse (Mark 3:5).

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "lawful" is exestin (ἔξεστιν), which implies not just legal permissibility but also moral rightness. Jesus frames the question not merely in terms of what is allowed, but what is morally correct and beneficial. The stark contrast between "do good" (ἀγαθοποιῆσαι - agathopoiesai) and "do evil" (κακοποιῆσαι - kakopoiesai), and between "save life" (σῶσαι ψυχὴν - sōsai psychēn) and "kill" (ἀποκτεῖναι - apokteinai), forces an immediate moral choice. Jesus' hyperbole (equating not healing with killing) serves to expose the spiritual depravity of those who would condemn an act of mercy.

Practical Application and Reflection

Mark 3:4 challenges believers today to examine their own priorities. Are we more concerned with upholding traditions or rules, or with demonstrating genuine compassion and doing good? This verse reminds us that true faith is active and merciful, always seeking to relieve suffering and promote well-being. It encourages us to question rigid interpretations that hinder acts of love and service, and to prioritize the spirit of God's law—which is love—over its mere letter. Our silence in the face of injustice or suffering can be as condemning as direct opposition to good.

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.

  • Luke 6:9

    Then said Jesus unto them, 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]?

  • Matthew 12:10

    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.

  • Matthew 12:12

    How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.

  • Luke 13:13

    And he laid [his] hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.

  • Luke 13:17

    And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.

  • Luke 14:1

    ¶ And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him.

  • Luke 14:5

    And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day?

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