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?”

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Jesus stands in a synagogue where religious opponents are present, and they pose a question to Him regarding Sabbath healing laws.

The words — The Greek phrase ἄνθρωπος ἔχων χεῖρα ξηράν (anthrōpos echōn cheira xēran) literally means "a man having a withered hand."

The thread — This Sabbath conflict runs through Luke 13:14 and John 9:16, where leaders object to Jesus’ works, and aligns with John 8:6 in its depiction of opponents seeking grounds to accuse Him.

Why it lands — The text reports that the question was asked specifically to accuse Jesus, and it requires a reader to see that the inquiry functions as a legal trap rather than a sincere search for instruction.

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, 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.

Cross-references

Luke 13:14 But the synagogue leader was indignant that Jesus had healed on the Sabbath. “There are six days for work,” he told the crowd. “So come and be healed on those days and not on the Sabbath.”
John 9:16 Because of this, some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for He does not keep the Sabbath.” But others said, “How can a sinful man perform such signs?” And there was division among them.
John 8:6 They said this to test Him, in order to have a basis for accusing Him. But Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with His finger.
Matthew 22:17 So tell us what You think: Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
Luke 11:54 waiting to catch Him in something He might say.
John 5:10 so the Jews said to the man who had been healed, “This is the Sabbath! It is unlawful for you to carry your mat.”
Isaiah 32:6 For a fool speaks foolishness; his mind plots iniquity. He practices ungodliness and speaks falsely about the LORD; he leaves the hungry empty and deprives the thirsty of drink.
Zechariah 11:17 Woe to the worthless shepherd, who deserts the flock! May a sword strike his arm and his right eye! May his arm be completely withered and his right eye utterly blinded!”
Matthew 12:2 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to Him, “Look, Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.”
Luke 14:3 So Jesus asked the experts in the law and the Pharisees, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?”