Matthew 12:13

Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched [it] forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.

Then {G5119} saith {G3004} he to the man {G444}, Stretch forth {G1614} thine {G4675} hand {G5495}. And {G2532} he stretched it forth {G1614}; and {G2532} it was restored {G600} whole {G5199}, like as {G5613} the other {G243}.

became restored, as sound as the other one.

Then Jesus said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out, and it was restored to full use, just like the other.

Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, as the other.

Matthew 12:13 recounts a pivotal moment where Jesus performs a miraculous healing on the Sabbath, directly challenging the religious leaders of His day. This verse captures the divine authority and compassion of Christ in action.

Context

This healing takes place in a synagogue on the Sabbath day, immediately following a confrontation between Jesus and the Pharisees. In the preceding verses (Matthew 12:9-10), the Pharisees, seeking to accuse Jesus, question Him about the lawfulness of healing on the Sabbath. Jesus responds by arguing that it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath, even saving a sheep from a pit, implying that a human life is certainly more valuable. His ultimate declaration that "the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day" sets the stage for this powerful demonstration of His authority.

Key Themes

  • Divine Authority and Power: Jesus' command, "Stretch forth thine hand," and the immediate, complete restoration of the man's withered hand, undeniably showcase His direct power over disease and physical infirmity. This was not a gradual healing but an instantaneous miracle.
  • Sabbath Controversy: This act is a direct challenge to the rigid, legalistic interpretation of the Sabbath law held by the Pharisees. Jesus consistently prioritized compassion and the well-being of people over strict adherence to man-made traditions, demonstrating that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.
  • Faith and Obedience: The man's act of stretching forth his clearly withered hand, though seemingly impossible, was an act of profound faith and obedience to Jesus' command. His willingness to obey, despite his physical limitation, was met with divine power. This illustrates a principle seen throughout the Gospels: that faith often precedes or accompanies miraculous intervention.
  • Compassion Over Legalism: Jesus' actions highlight His core message of love and mercy. He chose to heal and alleviate suffering, even when it meant breaking religious traditions that had become burdensome and devoid of true spiritual meaning.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "restored whole" is apokatestathe (ἀποκατεστάθη), which signifies a complete and perfect restoration. It implies that the hand was not just improved but brought back to its original, healthy state, "like as the other." This emphasizes the comprehensive nature of Jesus' healing power. The preceding verse (Matthew 12:10) describes the hand as "withered" (Greek: xēran, ξηράν), indicating a shriveled, dried-up, and useless limb, making the complete restoration even more astounding.

Practical Application

This verse encourages us to act in faith and obedience to God's commands, even when circumstances seem to make such actions impossible. Just as the man stretched out his withered hand, we are called to step out in faith despite our limitations or perceived weaknesses. Furthermore, it reminds us that true religion is characterized by compassion and doing good, especially towards those in need, rather than by rigid adherence to rules or traditions that may hinder love and mercy. Jesus' power is still active today, bringing spiritual and often physical restoration to those who trust and obey Him.

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 13:13

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

  • Acts 3:7

    And he took him by the right hand, and lifted [him] up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

  • Acts 3:8

    And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

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