Categories
Gospel of Mark Studies Gospels Studies Jesus' Miracles Studies New Testament Studies

Shriveled Hands – Jesus Heals on Sabbath – 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.

Bible Study Lesson: Jesus Heals on Sabbath

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).

Check out our Amazon eBook, The Miracles of Jesus Christ – 7-part Bible Study Series on the Healing Miracles of Jesus Christ for Small Groups & Personal Study.

 

Related Bible Studies:

  1. Jesus Heals Paralytic Man | Mark 2:1-12 Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered...
  2. Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus – Mark 10:46-52 Did you know that the Healing of Bartimaeus is one of few places where the name of the person healed in mentioned? This bible study lesson on Mark 10:46-52 describes the healing of blind Bartimaeus by Jesus on His way...
  3. The Scribes Questions Jesus’ Authority – Mark 11: 27-33 How do you respond when you are confronted with the question about your personal belief? This gospel bible study lesson presents Jesus' response when His authority was questioned by the High priests and the teachers of the Law in the...
  4. Jesus and Beelzebub – Mark 3:20-30 | Bible Study So Jesus called them and spoke to them in parables: "How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if...
  5. Jesus Heals at the Pool of Bethesda | John 5:1-15 Bible Study Lesson on John 5:1-15 -Jesus at pool of Bethesda at Sheep gate, Condition of disabled man, Miraculous power of pool and Angel's stirring up water, Jesus healed the disable man....

By Amit Christian

Founder and Author of BibleSEO (Bible Study Exposition Online), Bible study topics website, which offers free small group bible studies on various topics. His passion is to train, equip and inspire individual and small groups for life-changing bible study experience.
(Check my Google+ Profile at https://plus.google.com/u/0/108196373225656079903/)

9 replies on “Shriveled Hands – Jesus Heals on Sabbath – Mark 3:1-6”

I thank God for enabling your run this site.
I am the bible study leader at Busitema University- Nagongera campus Christian Union.
These Bible studies have blessed us a lot even in care group ministry.
THEY HAVE AIDED OUR INCRESED UNDERSTANDING OF GOD’S WORD AND WILL.

THANKS ALOT!!

when everything is changing we are sure only the word of god remains the same! please keepup the spirit, this is what the world needs at the moment. Don’t be fooled on earth hear, we are citizen of HEAVEN and that is where our treasure lies. be blessed always!!!

I have been thinking a lot about this lesson since it was published, as well about the analysis. It is one of the few instances in which we are told what Jesus felt, making him so fully human. For me, it’s one of the most important lessons when I think of the metaphors used. I also have been thinking about the interpretation you make about the line in Ephesians referring to anger.

Anger is such a vital emotion. We all feel it. We all feel justified when we become angry at something or someone. Anger to me is a defense for fear, in my opinion. It is in some sense of survival tactic we employ when we feel threatened. Not that I am implying that Jesus was experiencing it as we might. Anger is also a sign of frustration. Jesus was distressed too. Why was he so distressed? Because he wanted them to “get it” since they were supposed to be the intelligentsia.

The other instance involving anger is when Jesus in Matthew 5:21-22, just after the Sermon on the Mount and the Similitudes. He tells the crowd that they have heard that murder is wrong and anyone who murders is subject to judgement. That is a direct result of the law. Then he adds, “but I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgement. Again anyone who says to his brother, “Raca” is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, “You fool!” will be in danger of the fire of hell.” (NIV).

Jesus has to repeat his point to get to something. After that he wants us to make our peace with them before we come to him.

First, Jesus is saying, in my opinion, that he knows we are going to sin. He knows there is a justification to be angry. He warns us that we can’t risk putting ourselves in a position to commit an even greater sin by letting our anger fester.

Second, that leads me to think about how careful we all need to be about what we say in our anger, no matter how justified we think we are. Our angry thoughts and words expressed might lead to a greater sin somewhere down the line. A sin that we might not even commit, but which might be committed by someone else. Our anger might incite someone to commit a greater sin.

Which leads to the opinion arising from Ephesians 4:26. The author is not saying that it is okay to be angry. Jesus was saying it was okay. Recognizing that we are sinners, knowing we will sin, doesn’t give us license to sin.

I don’t think there is such a thing as a “right time” or a “right cause” for being angry. “In your anger, do not sin; do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.”

The author is echoing Jesus in Matthew, I think, in a more understandable way. Jesus always seems to be challenging us to stop and think through what he is getting out, instead of spelling it out, which is what Paul does. Not that Paul is wrong at all. It’s just that Jesus is so much more than Paul. Jesus wants us to use our mental faculty.

I guess my point is that it is not okay to be angry. We need to step back from our emotions and not react so quickly. We need to realize that the foundation of all is God’s love, not anger. We cannot afford to put our souls in jeopardy, even if we are (or think we are) sanctified by His Grace. I believe Jesus is challenging us to step back and examine ourselves and what we believe. We need to question what is it that we really feel we are justified in feeling and doing. Is the “cause” we think worth it really worth it?

What comes to mind also is the whole incident is built around the man’s shriveled hand. He is incapable of acting. And the irony is is that it is on the Sabbath, when he shouldn’t be doing anything but affirming God.

Jesus is giving the man the ability to work, to play, to do, when he shouldn’t be doing. The choice is his. Jesus is always giving us a choice. What will you do? I gave you the choice of good or evil, life or death, common sense and reason or confusion.

Can I ask for bible study of specific part?
This week I want to study Hebrew 3:1-6
Thank you very much.
God bless you.

Comments are closed.