Matthew 12:10

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 12:10 captures a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry within a synagogue, where He encounters a man with a withered hand. This verse sets the stage for a direct confrontation between Jesus and the legalistic religious authorities, specifically the Pharisees, who probe Him with a loaded question regarding the lawfulness of healing on the Sabbath. Their inquiry was not born of genuine concern for the suffering man, but was a calculated trap designed to find grounds to accuse Jesus and undermine His growing influence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows a significant confrontation in [Matthew 12:1-8](/matthew/12-1-8 "Jesus and the Sabbath Grain"), where Jesus' disciples plucked grain on the Sabbath, drawing criticism from the Pharisees. Jesus defended their actions by citing scriptural precedents (David and the showbread) and declaring Himself "Lord even of the sabbath day" ([Matthew 12:8](/matthew/12-8 "Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath")). Entering the synagogue, the Pharisees, still reeling from the previous encounter and seeking to ensnare Jesus, present Him with a new test concerning Sabbath observance. The man with the withered hand becomes a pawn in their theological and power struggle, setting the stage for Jesus' powerful demonstration of compassion and authority.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Sabbath (Shabbat) was a cornerstone of Jewish life and law, commemorating God's rest after creation and Israel's deliverance from Egyptian slavery. While the Old Testament commands rest, by Jesus' time, an elaborate system of oral traditions (later codified in the Mishnah) had developed, defining what constituted "work" on the Sabbath. Healing, unless life-threatening, was generally considered unlawful labor by the Pharisees. Synagogues were central to Jewish community life, serving as places of worship, teaching, and legal discourse. The Pharisees, a prominent religious sect, were zealous in their adherence to both written and oral law, often prioritizing strict interpretation over the spirit of the law, making their challenge to Jesus a direct assertion of their authority and an attempt to expose Him as a lawbreaker.
* **Key Themes:** This passage powerfully highlights the **tension between legalism and compassion**, demonstrating Jesus' consistent prioritization of human need and the spirit of the law over rigid, man-made interpretations. The Pharisees' question reveals their deep-seated **hypocrisy and malicious intent**, as they were more concerned with trapping Jesus than with alleviating suffering or honoring God's design for the Sabbath. Jesus' subsequent action (healing the man in [Matthew 12:13](/matthew/12-13 "Jesus Heals the Withered Hand")) underscores His **divine authority** as the "Lord of the Sabbath" ([Matthew 12:8](/matthew/12-8 "Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath")), capable of interpreting and fulfilling the Law righteously. Furthermore, the healing itself serves as a **sign of the Messiah's power** to restore and bring life, contrasting with the spiritual barrenness of the Pharisees' legalistic system.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **behold (Greek, _idoú'_):** Derived from a verb meaning "to see," this interjection functions as an imperative, "lo!" or "see!" It serves to draw immediate attention to what follows, signaling something significant or surprising. In this context, it highlights the presence of the man as a crucial element in the unfolding drama, almost as if the narrator is pointing him out to the reader, emphasizing the deliberate nature of the encounter.
* **withered (Greek, _xērós'_):** This adjective describes something arid, dried up, or shrunken. Applied to the hand, it indicates a chronic condition of atrophy, where the limb was shriveled, useless, and likely painful. This detail underscores the severity of the man's physical affliction and magnifies the miraculous nature of Jesus' instantaneous and complete restoration.
* **accuse (Greek, _katēgoréō'_):** Meaning "to be a plaintiff" or "to charge with some offense," this verb reveals the malicious intent behind the Pharisees' question. Their aim was not to seek truth or understanding, but to gather evidence for a formal charge against Jesus, potentially for blasphemy or breaking the Mosaic Law as interpreted by their traditions. This word exposes the adversarial nature of their interaction with Jesus.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And, behold, there was a man which had [his] hand withered."**: This opening clause immediately introduces the central figure of the narrative, aside from Jesus and the Pharisees. The use of "behold" draws attention to the man's presence, which is not coincidental but providentially arranged, perhaps even orchestrated by the Pharisees, to create a test for Jesus. The description "withered hand" vividly portrays a severe and debilitating physical condition, emphasizing the man's suffering and his desperate need for healing.
* **"And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days?"**: "They" refers to the Pharisees, who were present in the synagogue, observing Jesus. Their question is framed as an inquiry about the lawfulness of healing on the Sabbath, a seemingly innocuous theological debate. However, the context and their known antagonism towards Jesus reveal that this was a loaded question, designed to elicit a response that they could use against Him. It highlights their rigid adherence to their interpretation of Sabbath law, which typically prohibited healing unless a life was in immediate danger.
* **"that they might accuse him."**: This final clause explicitly states the malicious motive behind the Pharisees' question. Their inquiry was not driven by genuine concern for the man's well-being or a sincere desire for theological clarity. Instead, it was a calculated attempt to find grounds to bring formal charges against Jesus, either before the Sanhedrin or by inciting public opinion against Him. This reveals their deep-seated animosity and their willingness to use a suffering individual as a mere tool in their efforts to discredit Jesus.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 12:10 employs several potent literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is evident as the Pharisees' explicit intent to "accuse him" clearly signals the escalating conflict between Jesus and the religious authorities, setting the stage for future confrontations and ultimately, Jesus' crucifixion. This verse also utilizes **Irony**: the very people who should have been concerned with human well-being and the spirit of God's law are instead consumed by legalistic nitpicking and malicious intent, using a suffering man as bait. Their "question" is not a genuine inquiry but a veiled accusation. Furthermore, there is a stark **Contrast** presented between the suffering man's physical need and the spiritual blindness and hardness of heart displayed by the Pharisees, who prioritize their traditions over compassion and divine power.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 12:10 is a microcosm of the fundamental theological clash between Jesus' kingdom ethic and the prevailing legalism of His day. It underscores that true righteousness is not found in rigid adherence to external rules, especially those of human invention, but in a heart that prioritizes mercy, compassion, and the well-being of others. Jesus consistently challenged the Pharisees' burdensome interpretations of the Law, demonstrating that the Sabbath was intended for humanity's benefit and for doing good, not for restricting acts of love and healing. This passage teaches that genuine faith expresses itself in active love and service, reflecting God's own character, rather than in self-righteous judgment or the pursuit of power through religious strictures.

* [Mark 3:1-6](/mark/3-1-6 "Jesus Heals on the Sabbath")
* [Luke 6:6-11](/luke/6-6-11 "Jesus Heals a Man with a Withered Hand")
* [Mark 2:27](/mark/2-27 "The Sabbath was Made for Man")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 12:10 serves as a powerful mirror for contemporary believers, challenging us to examine our own motives and priorities. Are we, like the Pharisees, sometimes more concerned with upholding our traditions, doctrines, or personal preferences than with demonstrating genuine compassion and actively doing good for those in need? This passage calls us to move beyond a legalistic, rule-bound understanding of faith towards a vibrant, mercy-driven discipleship that reflects the heart of Christ. It reminds us that true worship and obedience are not merely about avoiding "wrong" actions, but about actively pursuing "right" actions—especially those that alleviate suffering and bring healing, both physical and spiritual. We are encouraged to prioritize love and service, even when it challenges established norms or invites criticism, trusting in Jesus' ultimate authority and His example of sacrificial love.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be prioritizing rigid rules or traditions over genuine compassion and mercy?**
* **How can I cultivate a heart that seeks to do good and alleviate suffering, even when it might be inconvenient or challenge popular opinion?**
* **Am I more concerned with finding fault in others, or with seeing and meeting their needs?**
* **How does Jesus' example in this passage inform my understanding of the true purpose of spiritual disciplines and religious observances?**

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

Answer: For the Pharisees, healing on the Sabbath was controversial because they considered it a form of "work" (melakha), which was strictly forbidden by their interpretation of the Sabbath laws. While the Old Testament commanded rest on the Sabbath, the Pharisees had developed an elaborate system of oral traditions, later codified in the Mishnah, that meticulously defined what constituted unlawful labor. Unless a life was in immediate danger, they believed that medical intervention, including healing, should be postponed until after the Sabbath. Jesus' acts of healing on the Sabbath, therefore, were seen by them as direct violations of their religious traditions and an affront to their authority, leading them to seek grounds to accuse Him, as seen in [Matthew 12:10](/matthew/12-10 "Matthew 12:10 - The Man with the Withered Hand").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 12:10, though seemingly a simple narrative of conflict, profoundly points to Jesus as the Christ, the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive purposes. As the "Lord even of the sabbath day" ([Matthew 12:8](/matthew/12-8 "Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath")), Jesus demonstrates His sovereign authority over all creation, including the very institution of the Sabbath. He is not bound by human interpretations or legalistic traditions, but embodies the true spirit of the Law: love for God and neighbor. His compassion for the man with the withered hand foreshadows His greater work of spiritual healing and restoration for all humanity. Just as He restored the man's physical limb, Christ came to restore humanity's broken relationship with God, offering true rest and freedom from the crippling effects of sin and legalism. Through His perfect obedience, sacrificial death, and glorious resurrection, Jesus provides the ultimate "Sabbath rest" for our souls, a rest found not in external observances, but in faith in Him. He is the one who fulfills the shadow of the Law, bringing the substance of grace and truth, inviting us into a new covenant where mercy triumphs over judgment, and where the Spirit gives life beyond the letter of the law ([2 Corinthians 3:6](/2_corinthians/3-6 "The Spirit Gives Life")). His healing power, displayed in this synagogue, is a tangible sign of His messianic identity and His mission to bring wholeness to a broken world, culminating in the spiritual healing offered to all who believe ([Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "By His Wounds We Are Healed")).

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 13:14

And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.

John 9:16

Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.

John 8:6

This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with [his] finger wrote on the ground, [as though he heard them not].

Matthew 22:17

Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?

Matthew 22:18

But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, [ye] hypocrites?

John 5:10

The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry [thy] bed.

Luke 11:54

Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him.