Mark 3:1 - He entered again into the synagogue, and there was a man there who had his hand withered.

Generated Verse: Mark 3:1

What does "Mark 3:1" mean?


Mark 3:1 describes a scene where Jesus returns to the synagogue (a Jewish house of worship). The verse highlights the presence of a man with a withered, or atrophied, hand. This detail is significant for a few reasons:

Setting the Stage for Conflict: The presence of the man with the withered hand immediately creates tension. It sets up a potential confrontation between Jesus and those who strictly adhered to the Sabbath laws, which prohibited working on the Sabbath. They would likely consider healing the man to be "work."

Highlighting Compassion: The withered hand represents suffering and a lack of wholeness. This emphasizes Jesus' compassion and desire to alleviate human suffering, which is a central theme in the Gospels.

Demonstrating Jesus' Authority: The withered hand is a physical ailment that Jesus is about to heal. This healing will serve as a demonstration of Jesus' power and authority, further emphasizing his divine nature.

In essence, the verse sets the scene for a conflict about the interpretation and application of religious law, and underscores Jesus' compassion and power. It serves as a prelude to Jesus' upcoming healing and the controversy that will arise from it.

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