Matthew 12:10 - And behold there was a man with a withered hand. They asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath day?” that they might accuse him.
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What does "Matthew 12:10" mean?
This verse from Matthew 12:10 presents a scene where Jesus is confronted with a dilemma designed to trap him. Let's break it down:
"And behold there was a man with a withered hand." This sets the stage and introduces the central figure: a man suffering from a physical ailment, specifically a withered (shrunken and unusable) hand. This man's condition is visible and serves as the trigger for the ensuing conflict.
"They asked him, 'Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath day?'" This is the crucial question posed to Jesus. The "they" are generally understood to be the Pharisees or scribes, religious leaders who were critical of Jesus and looking for ways to discredit him. Their question isn't born out of genuine concern for the man, but out of a desire to test Jesus' adherence to their interpretation of Jewish law, specifically the laws concerning the Sabbath. Jewish law prohibited work on the Sabbath, and healing was considered work by these religious authorities.
"that they might accuse him." This clarifies the motive behind the question. The religious leaders were seeking to find fault with Jesus. If he healed the man on the Sabbath, they would accuse him of breaking the Sabbath law, which would undermine his authority and potentially lead to his arrest. They are setting a trap for Jesus, hoping he will act in a way that gives them grounds for accusation.
In essence, the verse highlights the following:
Conflict between compassion and legalism: The man's suffering is contrasted with the rigid interpretation of the Sabbath law. The Pharisees prioritized their legalistic understanding over the man's immediate need for healing.
Challenge to Jesus' authority: The Pharisees are testing Jesus' authority and trying to undermine his ministry.
Foreshadowing of conflict: This incident foreshadows the growing conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders, ultimately leading to his crucifixion.
The importance of motive: The verse emphasizes the importance of the motives behind our actions. The religious leaders were not concerned with the man's well-being but rather with their own power and control.
The verse sets up a moral and theological dilemma, forcing Jesus to choose between following the letter of the law and showing compassion to someone in need. His response (in subsequent verses) reveals his understanding of the Sabbath and his prioritization of mercy and love.
Matthew 12:10 - And behold there was a man with a withered hand. They asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath day?” that they might accuse him.
What does "Matthew 12:10" mean?
This verse from Matthew 12:10 presents a scene where Jesus is confronted with a dilemma designed to trap him. Let's break it down:
"And behold there was a man with a withered hand." This sets the stage and introduces the central figure: a man suffering from a physical ailment, specifically a withered (shrunken and unusable) hand. This man's condition is visible and serves as the trigger for the ensuing conflict.
"They asked him, 'Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath day?'" This is the crucial question posed to Jesus. The "they" are generally understood to be the Pharisees or scribes, religious leaders who were critical of Jesus and looking for ways to discredit him. Their question isn't born out of genuine concern for the man, but out of a desire to test Jesus' adherence to their interpretation of Jewish law, specifically the laws concerning the Sabbath. Jewish law prohibited work on the Sabbath, and healing was considered work by these religious authorities.
"that they might accuse him." This clarifies the motive behind the question. The religious leaders were seeking to find fault with Jesus. If he healed the man on the Sabbath, they would accuse him of breaking the Sabbath law, which would undermine his authority and potentially lead to his arrest. They are setting a trap for Jesus, hoping he will act in a way that gives them grounds for accusation.
In essence, the verse highlights the following:
Conflict between compassion and legalism: The man's suffering is contrasted with the rigid interpretation of the Sabbath law. The Pharisees prioritized their legalistic understanding over the man's immediate need for healing.
Challenge to Jesus' authority: The Pharisees are testing Jesus' authority and trying to undermine his ministry.
Foreshadowing of conflict: This incident foreshadows the growing conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders, ultimately leading to his crucifixion.
The importance of motive: The verse emphasizes the importance of the motives behind our actions. The religious leaders were not concerned with the man's well-being but rather with their own power and control.
The verse sets up a moral and theological dilemma, forcing Jesus to choose between following the letter of the law and showing compassion to someone in need. His response (in subsequent verses) reveals his understanding of the Sabbath and his prioritization of mercy and love.