Bible Strands
Mark 3:4
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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus poses a direct question to the religious opponents gathered around him immediately after commanding a man with a withered hand to stand among them.
The words — ἔξεστιν (exestin) translates literally to "is it lawful" or "is it permitted," framing the Sabbath dispute as a question of legal permission rather than ritual restriction.
The thread — The identical Sabbath dilemma appears in Luke 6:9 and Matthew 12:10, while Luke 14:1 records a parallel Sabbath confrontation at a Pharisee’s home.
Why it lands — The text presents a binary choice between preserving life and allowing harm, and the opponents' silence demonstrates their refusal to acknowledge the moral priority of mercy over ritual.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Luke 6:9 Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?”
- Matthew 12:10 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?”
- Luke 14:1 One Sabbath, Jesus went to eat in the home of a leading Pharisee, and those in attendance were watching Him closely.
- Hosea 6:6 For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
- Mark 2:27 Then Jesus declared, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.
- Luke 13:13 Then He placed His hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and began to glorify God.
- Mark 9:34 But they were silent, for on the way they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest.