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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Mark 3:1-12

Here, as before, we have our Lord Jesus busy at work in the synagogue first, and then by the sea side; to teach us that his presence should not be confined either to the one or to the other, but, wherever any are gathered together in his name, whether in the synagogue or any where else, there is he in the midst of them. In every place where he records his name, he will meet his people, and bless them; it is his will that men pray every where. Now here we have some account of what he did. I.... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Mark 3:1-6

3:1-6 Jesus went into the synagogue again; and there was a man there who had a hand which had withered; and they were watching him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath day, so that, if he did, they might be able to formulate a charge against him. He said to the man who had the withered hand, "Stand up and come out in to the middle of the congregation." He said to them, "Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath day? Or to do evil? To save a life? Or to kill it?" But they remained... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 3:2

And they watched him ,.... The ruler of the synagogue, and the principal men in it; particularly the Scribes and Pharisees, who followed him wherever he went; they observed him diligently, and kept their eyes upon him; this lame man being in the synagogue, to see whether he would heal him on the sabbath day ; which, knowing his readiness to do good, they might expect he would: that they might accuse him ; as they had accused his disciples before, of the violation of the sabbath:... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Mark 3:2

They watched him - Παρετηρουν αυτον , they maliciously watched him. See on Luke 14:1 ; (note). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 3:1-5

The withered hand. This incident serves to bring out the antagonism between the spiritual and benevolent ministry of the Lord Jesus, and the formalism, self-righteousness, and hard-heartedness of the religious leaders of the Jews. It serves to explain, not only the enmity of the Pharisees, but their resolve to league with whomsoever would help them in carrying out their purposes and plot against the very life of the Son of man. It serves to exhibit the mingled feelings of indignation and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 3:1-6

The man with the withered hand; or, keeping the sabbath. In the most sacred and joyous scenes there may be circumstances of pain and sorrow. There are often some in God's house who are hindered in their enjoyment by personal affliction. But even these may be of service in testing the spirit and disposition of God's professed people. I. IT IS IN SPIRIT ALONE THAT THE SABBATH IS TRULY KEPT , 1. Outward observances are of value only as expressing and fostering... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 3:1-6

Sabbath observance. I. THE SABBATH MAY BE OBSERVED TO THE LETTER WHILE BROKEN IN THE SPIRIT . Here were men watching to see whether a man would dare to do a loving deed! The letter, which can never be more than the expression of the spirit, must be kept at all costs—except that of the literalists. There are pedants who will quarrel with a great writer because he departs from the "rules of grammar," forgetting that grammar is but a collection of observations of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 3:1-6

Parallel passages: Matthew 12:9-14 ; Luke 6:6-11 .— The man with the withered hand. I. THE NATURE OF THE DISEASE . It was a case of severe paralysis of the hand—the right hand, as St. Luke, with a physician's accuracy, informs us. The sinews were shrunken, and the hand shrivelled and dried up. And yet we owe to St. Mark's great particularity in narration and minuteness of detail a piece of information that one might rather have expected from the professional skill of "the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 3:2

The scribes had already the evidence that our Lord had permitted his disciples to rub the ears of corn on the sabbath day. But this was the act of the disciple, not his. What he was now preparing to do was an act of miraculous power. And here the ease was stronger, because work, which was prohibited under pain of death by the Law ( Exodus 31:14 ), was understood to include every act not absolutely necessary. read more

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