Matthew 12:10 Meaning and Explanation
“And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A man with a withered hand is present, and Jesus' critics ask whether healing on the sabbath is lawful, hoping to trap him.
What Does Matthew 12:10 Mean?
In the synagogue is a man whose hand is shrunken and useless. Jesus' opponents see an opportunity. They pose a question about whether healing is lawful on the sabbath, not from a desire to learn but to gather grounds for an accusation against him.
Their question turns a suffering man into bait for a trap. They care more for catching Jesus than for the broken hand before them. Christ sees both the man's need and his critics' hardness. He will answer their cold legalism with an act of open compassion, showing that the day of rest was made for the relief of suffering, not for its neglect.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 12:10
What does Matthew 12:10 mean?
A man with a withered hand is present, and Jesus' critics ask whether healing on the sabbath is lawful, hoping to trap him.