Mark 3:4

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Mark 3:4, Jesus directly confronts the legalistic religious leaders in a synagogue on the Sabbath, posing a profound rhetorical question: "Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill?" This stark moral dilemma exposes their misplaced priorities and hardened hearts, as their subsequent silence reveals their inability to answer without condemning themselves. The passage underscores Jesus' authority over the Sabbath and His unwavering commitment to compassion and the preservation of life, even in the face of opposition.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal moment following a series of escalating confrontations between Jesus and the religious authorities, particularly concerning Sabbath observance. In [Mark 2:23-28](/mark/2-23-28 "Mark 2:23-28 - Jesus and His Disciples on the Sabbath"), Jesus' disciples are criticized for plucking grain on the Sabbath, prompting Jesus to declare, "[The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath](/mark/2-27 "Mark 2:27 - The Sabbath Made for Man")." Here, Jesus intentionally enters a synagogue on the Sabbath, knowing a man with a withered hand is present and that His adversaries are watching Him closely. His question sets the stage for the healing that immediately follows in [Mark 3:5](/mark/3-5 "Mark 3:5 - Jesus Heals the Withered Hand"), further intensifying the conflict and leading directly to the Pharisees and Herodians plotting His destruction.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Jewish society, particularly under the influence of the Pharisees, had developed an elaborate system of oral traditions (halakha) that interpreted and expanded upon the Mosaic Law. Sabbath observance was a cornerstone of Jewish identity, but these traditions often became burdensome, emphasizing strict prohibitions over the spirit of the law. Healing, unless a life was in immediate danger, was considered "work" and thus forbidden on the Sabbath. The synagogue was the central place of worship and community gathering, making Jesus' actions there a public challenge to the established religious order. The presence of both Pharisees (religious conservatives) and Herodians (political supporters of Herod, often aligned with Rome) highlights the broad opposition Jesus faced, as these two groups typically had little in common but united in their desire to discredit Him.

* **Key Themes:** Mark 3:4 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the Gospel of Mark. It highlights the **true purpose of the Sabbath**, which Jesus asserts is for doing good and showing mercy, not for rigid legalistic adherence that hinders compassion. This contrasts sharply with the **legalism versus compassion** theme, where the religious leaders prioritize their interpretations of the law over human suffering, while Jesus consistently prioritizes alleviating pain and restoring wholeness. The verse also underscores **Jesus' divine authority** as He boldly challenges the prevailing religious interpretations and demonstrates His lordship over the Sabbath. Finally, the silence of the accusers introduces the theme of **hardening of hearts**, revealing their spiritual blindness and unwillingness to acknowledge the truth, a theme that tragically culminates in their decision to seek Jesus' death.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **lawful (Greek, _éxesti'_):** This term (G1832) signifies more than mere legal permissibility; it implies what is morally right, proper, or permissible in God's eyes. Jesus' question transcends a legalistic debate, pushing the issue into the realm of ethical imperative. He is asking what is inherently good and acceptable, not just what is technically allowed by human interpretations.
* **do good (Greek, _agathopoiéō'_):** Derived from G15, this verb means to be a well-doer, to perform acts of kindness, beneficence, or righteousness. It emphasizes active, positive contribution to well-being. Jesus posits that the Sabbath, a day consecrated to God, should be a day characterized by such actions, aligning with God's own benevolent character.
* **held their peace (Greek, _siōpáō'_):** This word (G4623) describes a state of being silent or dumb, often implying an involuntary stillness or inability to speak. In this context, it powerfully conveys the religious leaders' speechless inability to respond to Jesus' morally unassailable question. Their silence is not merely a lack of words, but a profound indictment of their hardened hearts and the bankruptcy of their legalistic position.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he saith unto them,"**: Jesus takes the initiative, directly addressing His accusers. This is not a casual remark but a deliberate challenge, designed to expose their hypocrisy and force a moral reckoning. He is not waiting for them to accuse Him; He is putting them on trial.
* **"Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil?"**: Jesus frames the choice in stark, absolute moral terms. He presents a dichotomy that leaves no room for neutrality or evasion. The question forces them to consider whether inaction in the face of suffering, or adherence to a rigid interpretation that prevents good, is tantamount to doing evil.
* **"to save life, or to kill?"**: This is a powerful rhetorical escalation. By equating not healing (doing good) with actively "killing" (doing evil), Jesus uses hyperbole to expose the spiritual depravity of their legalism. He implies that their rigid adherence to tradition, which would prevent an act of mercy, is morally equivalent to taking a life, highlighting the ultimate consequences of their uncompassionate stance.
* **"But they held their peace."**: This concluding phrase is profoundly significant. Their silence is a confession of guilt. They cannot answer without either affirming Jesus' compassionate action (which would undermine their authority) or explicitly stating that it is lawful to do evil (which would expose their moral bankruptcy). Their muteness reveals their hardened hearts and spiritual blindness, setting the stage for Jesus' grief and anger in the subsequent verse.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 3:4 is rich in literary devices that amplify its message. The most prominent is **Rhetorical Question**, where Jesus asks a question not to elicit information, but to make a forceful point and expose the moral and spiritual bankruptcy of His adversaries. The question itself employs powerful **Antithesis** and **Juxtaposition**, setting up stark contrasts between "doing good" and "doing evil," and between "saving life" and "killing." This binary choice forces an immediate moral decision, highlighting the extreme nature of their legalistic stance. Furthermore, Jesus utilizes **Hyperbole** by equating the failure to "save life" (i.e., heal) with "killing." This deliberate overstatement serves to shock His listeners and underscore the gravity of their uncompassionate interpretation of the Sabbath law. Finally, the **Dramatic Irony** is palpable: the religious leaders believe they are upholding God's law, yet their actions and silence reveal their opposition to God's very character, which is mercy and life, a truth apparent to the reader.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 3:4 profoundly reveals God's character as one who desires mercy over rigid adherence to ritual, and life over legalistic death. Jesus, as the embodiment of God's will, challenges the prevailing human traditions that had obscured the true spirit of the Sabbath, transforming a day meant for rest and blessing into a burden. His question forces a choice between actively participating in God's redemptive work of healing and preserving life, or passively (or even actively) contributing to suffering and spiritual death through unloving interpretations. This passage underscores that true righteousness is not found in outward conformity to rules but in an inward disposition of compassion and a commitment to actively doing good, reflecting God's own heart.

* [Matthew 12:12](/matthew/12-12 "Matthew 12:12 - Doing Good on the Sabbath")
* [Luke 6:9](/luke/6-9 "Luke 6:9 - Is it Lawful to Save Life or Destroy it?")
* [Hosea 6:6](/hosea/6-6 "Hosea 6:6 - Mercy, Not Sacrifice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 3:4 serves as a timeless challenge to believers to examine the priorities that govern their faith and actions. Are we, like the religious leaders, more concerned with upholding traditions, rules, or even our own comfort, than with actively demonstrating compassion and doing tangible good in the world? This verse calls us to prioritize the spirit of God's law—which is love, mercy, and the preservation of life—over its mere letter, especially when the letter becomes an impediment to genuine care. It encourages us to question rigid interpretations that might hinder acts of love and service, and to actively seek opportunities to "do good" and "save life" in both spiritual and physical senses. Our silence in the face of injustice, suffering, or spiritual need can be as condemning as direct opposition to good, revealing a heart that is hardened to the cries of humanity and the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Let us strive to be those who, like Jesus, prioritize active love and mercy, even when it means challenging the status quo or risking personal comfort.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or faith community might I be prioritizing tradition or rules over genuine compassion and actively "doing good"?**
* **Am I willing to challenge unloving or unhelpful interpretations of faith, even if it means confronting comfortable norms?**
* **What does my "silence" in the face of suffering or injustice reveal about the condition of my heart?**
* **How can I more intentionally "save life" and "do good" in my daily interactions and broader community, reflecting the heart of Jesus?**

### FAQ
**Why was healing on the Sabbath controversial for the religious leaders?**

Answer: For the religious leaders, particularly the Pharisees, their interpretation of the Sabbath commandment had evolved into a complex system of oral laws (halakha) that strictly defined what constituted "work." Healing, unless a life was in immediate danger, was categorized as a form of work and therefore prohibited. They believed that by healing on the Sabbath, Jesus was violating God's law, as they understood it, and undermining their authority. Their concern was not for the suffering man, but for the perceived breach of their traditions.

**What does the silence of the religious leaders signify in this verse?**

Answer: Their silence is profoundly significant. It reveals their inability to answer Jesus' morally unassailable question without exposing their own hypocrisy and lack of compassion. If they said "yes, it is lawful to do good," they would validate Jesus' actions and condemn their own legalism. If they said "no, it is not lawful to do good," they would reveal themselves as heartless and morally corrupt. Their silence, therefore, is a powerful indictment of their hardened hearts and spiritual blindness, demonstrating that their concern for the law had superseded their concern for humanity and the very character of God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 3:4, though seemingly a simple question, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate work of Christ. Jesus, as the [Lord of the Sabbath](/mark/2-28 "Mark 2:28 - Lord of the Sabbath"), redefines its purpose from a day of restrictive legalism to a day of redemptive action and life-giving mercy. His question—"to save life, or to kill?"—points directly to His mission: to save humanity from spiritual death. He is the [Good Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - The Good Shepherd"), actively choosing to "do good" and "save life" through His atoning sacrifice on the cross. The "evil" and "killing" that Jesus confronts in this verse culminate in the very forces that seek His death, but through His resurrection, He triumphs over them, offering eternal life to all who believe ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")). His healing of the withered hand is a microcosm of His greater work of restoring broken humanity, bringing spiritual wholeness and life where there was only sin and death ([Colossians 2:13-14](/colossians/2-13-14 "Colossians 2:13-14 - Forgiveness and Triumph")). Thus, this passage is not just about Sabbath observance, but about the very essence of Christ's redemptive purpose: to bring life and do good, even when it means confronting the darkness of human sin and religious legalism.

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

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?