In brief
The man with the withered hand is a disabled man whose name the Bible does not give. On a Sabbath, in a synagogue, Jesus heals him under the eyes of Pharisees who are looking for a reason to accuse him. Luke specifies that it was his right hand. At the command of Jesus, the man stretches out his hand, and it is restored. Matthew, Mark and Luke report this miracle. What we keep is that it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath, and that Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath.
What does the name The Man with the Withered Hand mean?
The Bible does not give this man's name. It identifies him only by his infirmity, a withered hand, that is, one shriveled and dried up; Luke specifies that it was his right hand (Luke 6:6).
The story of The Man with the Withered Hand
The Son of Man, Lord of the Sabbath
Mark 2:23-28Just before, Pharisees criticize the disciples for plucking heads of grain on the Sabbath. Jesus recalls the example of David and declares that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. He adds that the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath. The healing that follows will illustrate this saying.
Watched in the synagogue
Mark 3:1-2Jesus enters the synagogue again, where there is a man with a withered hand; Luke specifies that it is the right hand. The Pharisees watch Jesus to see whether he will heal him on the Sabbath, so that they can accuse him. The man thus finds himself at the center of a trap set for Jesus.
Stand up in the middle
Mark 3:3-4Jesus tells the man to stand up in the middle. Then he asks his opponents whether it is lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill. They remain silent. Matthew also reports the image of the sheep fallen into a pit, which everyone would lift out.
Stretch out your hand
Mark 3:5Jesus looks around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart. Then he tells the man to stretch out his hand. The man obeys, and his hand is restored; Matthew specifies that it became healthy like the other. The infirm man's act of obedience goes along with the word of Jesus that heals him.
The plot against Jesus
Mark 3:6Instead of rejoicing, the Pharisees go out and immediately take counsel with the Herodians about how to destroy Jesus. Luke says they were filled with fury. On the very day a man regains the use of his hand, hardened hearts plot how to ruin the one who healed him.
The servant announced by Isaiah
Matthew 12:14-21Jesus, aware of it, withdraws. A great crowd follows him and he heals all who are sick. Matthew sees in this the fulfillment of Isaiah: the servant chosen by God does not quarrel or cry out, and a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench. Jesus cares for the weak.
Test your knowledge
What The Man with the Withered Hand teaches us
- Doing good to a person in need honors God more than a rule applied without love.
- Jesus sees the suffering man where others see only a chance to accuse.
- Obedience to the word of Jesus often goes along with the work of his grace.
- A hardened heart can witness a miracle without rejoicing in the goodness of God.
- Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath, and the rest he gives is made for the good of man.
Key verses
Jesus is grieved at the hardness of their hearts, then tells the man to stretch out his hand. His compassion for the disabled man contrasts with the harshness of his opponents.
How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Jesus concludes that it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.
The principle stated just before the healing: the Sabbath was made for man. The day of rest is a gift from God, not a burden that would keep us from doing good.
Bible verses to meditate on
Sermons about The Man with the Withered Hand
- Mark 3: Jesus' Mercy Toward Hardened HeartsThe preacher explains that the word translated withered evokes a shriveled hand, the right hand according to Luke, and thinks this man may have lost his livelihood.
- Mark 2: The Sabbath, the Rest We ResistThe sermon presents the healing of the man with the withered hand as the sequel to the Sabbath debate: Jesus heals, grieved at their hardness of heart, and his opponents plot against him.
Frequently asked questions
Why did the Pharisees object to Jesus healing on that day?
Because it was the Sabbath, and they saw in this healing a violation of the prescribed rest. They were watching Jesus so that they could accuse him. Jesus asks them whether it is lawful to do good or harm on the Sabbath, and recalls that everyone would lift a sheep out of a pit that day.
What was the name of the man with the withered hand?
The Bible does not give his name. Matthew, Mark and Luke refer to him only as a man who had a withered hand, and Luke specifies that it was his right hand. What matters in the account is the compassion of Jesus and the authority of his word.
Where can I find the story of the man with the withered hand?
The account is found in three Gospels: Matthew 12:9-14, Mark 3:1-6 and Luke 6:6-11. Each places it right after the discussion about the plucked heads of grain on the Sabbath. Matthew then adds the quotation from Isaiah about God's servant (Matthew 12:15-21).