1He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there with a withered hand. [3:2] And they were watching him closely to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might bring a charge against him. [3:3] And he said to the man with the withered hand, "Stand up in the middle." [3:4] And he said to them: "Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" And they were silent. [3:5] And looking around at them with anger, grieved at the hardness of their hearts, he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored. [3:6] And the Pharisees went out immediately and took counsel with the Herodians against him, as to how they might destroy him.
MRK 3:1-6
Jesus Heals on the Sabbath
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st-century synagogue, Sabbath observance was a central marker of Jewish identity and piety, governed by strict interpretations of Torah. The Pharisees, as guardians of these traditions, were vigilant in ensuring compliance. Their close observation of Jesus reflects a hostile intent to find fault, as healing on the Sabbath was contentious. Jesus’ question—whether it is lawful to do good or evil, to save life or kill—challenges their rigid interpretation, forcing them into silence. His anger and grief at their hardness of heart highlight the tension between ritual purity and compassionate action. The man’s restoration, by stretching out his hand, demonstrates Jesus’ authority over Sabbath law, provoking the Pharisees and Herodians to conspire against Him, a formal deliberation with a negative purpose.
›See the receipts
How other translations render this
MRK 3:1
- KJV
- And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand.
- BSB
- Once again Jesus entered the synagogue, and a man with a withered hand was there.
- Koinōnos
- He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there with a withered hand.
MRK 3:2
- KJV
- And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him.
- BSB
- In order to accuse Jesus, they were watching to see if He would heal on the Sabbath.
- Koinōnos
- And they were watching him closely to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might bring a charge against him.
MRK 3:3
- KJV
- And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth.
- BSB
- Then Jesus said to the man with the withered hand, “Stand up among us.”
- Koinōnos
- And he said to the man with the withered hand, "Stand up in the middle.
MRK 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.
- BSB
- 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.
- Koinōnos
- And he said to them: "Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" And they were silent.
MRK 3:5
- KJV
- And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.
- BSB
- Jesus looked around at them with anger and sorrow at their hardness of heart. Then He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out, and it was restored.
- Koinōnos
- And looking around at them with anger, grieved at the hardness of their hearts, he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored.
MRK 3:6
- KJV
- And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.
- BSB
- At this, the Pharisees went out and began plotting with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.
- Koinōnos
- And the Pharisees went out immediately and took counsel with the Herodians against him, as to how they might destroy him.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
MRK 3:1
- the:The word translated 'the' here is part of a phrase referring to a 'synagogue,' which was not just a building but also the community of Jewish people gathered for worship, study, and community life.
MRK 3:2
- they were watching:The term translated 'they were watching' implies a close, even hostile, observation with an intent to find fault or catch someone in a transgression, rather than merely observing casually.
MRK 3:5
- hardness:The word translated 'hardness' originally referred to the formation of a callus on a broken bone, and metaphorically it describes a spiritual dullness or insensitivity, particularly of the heart or mind.
MRK 3:6
- counsel:The word translated 'counsel' can refer to advice or a council of advisors, and in this context, it often carries the connotation of a deliberate plan or plot, sometimes with malicious intent.