Bible Study Lesson:

Mark 3:1-6:

Another time he went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.” Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent. He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.

Background:

• Who: Jesus, his disciples, Pharisees, People
• Where: Synagogue
• When: Sabbath
• Jesus had an argument with Pharisees about Sabbath, just before this incident. (Mark 2:23-27)

Q. What was Pharisee’s intention?

• To investigate Jesus closely so that they can accuse him.
• They were after him to find fault in him.
• They even followed Jesus into synagogue to see if they can accuse him.
• They were so much annoyed by Jesus that they forgot that ‘Synagogue should be the place of worship!’
• (Also check, Jesus’ authority questioned by Teachers of the Law)

Q. What was their attitude towards the man with shriveled hand?

• Totally ignorant
• Did not care or see his needs.
• They were seeing him as a ‘trap’.
• They cared about rules and laws more than the need of that man.

Q. By their actions, what did Pharisees agree indirectly?

• In the midst of this conspiracy, they agreed that Jesus had a power to heal and he could heal that man.
• But in their stubbornness, they were not ready to believe that this supernatural power was from God.

Q. What was Jesus’ reaction?

• First of all, He could perceive their plot and thoughts, without them telling anything!
• He intentionally made that man stand in front of everybody.

Q. What do you think the response should be, ‘which is lawful on the sabbath, to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?

• Answer is pretty obvious, to do good, to save life.
• But, they remained silent because of their stubborn heart.

Q. Why was Jesus angry?

• Because of their silence
• Their stubborn and closed heart
• Insensitive to the need of the disabled man
• Jesus was angry and sad (distressed) at the same time.

Q. Is it OK to be angry?

• It is ok to be angry for the right cause, at the right time. (Eph 4:26)
• It is important how you express your anger.

Q. What was the impact of this incident on this man?

• Completely healed / restored
• By healing him on Sabbath, Jesus also showed that he cared about people more than the Sabbath. (Mark 2:27)

Q. Who were Herodians?

• Jewish political party
• King Herod’s supporters
• Jesus was causing the instability politically, so He was threat to the Herodians.
• Herodians and Pharisees would normally be enemies due to their different agenda.
• In spite of their differences, Pharisees were ready to negotiate with Herodians, so that they can KILL Jesus.
• Can ‘Plotting to kill’ be lawful on Sabbath?

Applications:

• Don’t be too legalistic to ignore the needs of people
• As Christians, we need to be careful that we ‘walk the talk’, people around us always watch our actions closely (especially when we least expect).

More Bible Study Lessons:

• Jesus Heals the Blind Man – Bartimaeus – Mark 10:46-52 | Bible Study
• The Parable of the Great Feast | Luke 14:15-24 | Bible Study
• The Scribes Questions Jesus’ Authority – Mark 11: 27-33
• Jesus and Beelzebub – Mark 3:20-30 | Bible Study
• Jesus Heals Paralytic Man | Mark 2:1-12