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Explanation for:
Matthew
12
:
10
And behold there was a man who had a withered hand, and they asked him, saying: Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.
11
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"This individual represents the third healing that took place in the synagogue. It is important to observe that the withered hand was restored, not in transit or outside, but right within the assembly of the Jews. Having previously set a compelling precedent to defend the breaking of the Sabbath, which the Pharisees condemned His followers for, they now seek to entrap Him. They pose the question, ‘Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath days?’ intending to accuse Him of either callousness or inability should He choose not to heal the afflicted man, or of violating the Sabbath command if He did proceed to heal him."},{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Once again, Christ performs healing on the Sabbath, thereby affirming the actions of His disciples. The other Gospel writers recount that He summoned a man to stand in their midst and posed a question to the Jewish leaders about the legality of doing good on the Sabbath (Mark 3:4; Luke 6:9). Observe the compassion of the Lord. He brought the man forward, hoping that witnessing him might soften their hearts; that they, moved by this encounter, might abandon their hostility and, feeling shame for their harshness, would relent. Yet those who are unyielding and cruel would prefer to tarnish the honor of Christ rather than witness the restoration of the afflicted. Their malice is evident, manifested through their animosity towards Christ, to the extent that they even slander His kindness towards others. While the other Gospel writers indicate that it was Christ who posed the question, Matthew notes that He was questioned instead. The Jewish leaders inquired, suggesting that if the man was deserving of healing on the Sabbath, they should protest against Him. It seems likely that both scenarios occurred. The ungodly Jews, aware that He would indeed perform a healing, rushed to confront Him with their question, hoping to obstruct His actions. Therefore, they inquired, ‘Is He worthy of healing on the Sabbath?’ not to gain understanding, but to find grounds for accusation. Even though the act of healing itself would suffice for their accusations, they attempted to ensnare Him with their words, seeking more opportunities to condemn Him. However, He, who embodies humanity, not only heals but also responds wisely, teaching us about humility and kindness, turning the situation back on them and revealing their lack of compassion. He did not summon the man into their presence out of fear, but rather out of a desire to uplift them and inspire their empathy."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"The other gospel writers indicate that Jesus posed a question to the Pharisees. It can be inferred that the Pharisees, motivated by jealousy, cautioned and questioned Him, in line with Moses' teachings. In response, Christ directed questions back at them, seemingly to expose and deride their lack of understanding, as noted by the other gospel writers. The Pharisees' inquiries were aimed at finding grounds to defame Him."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"In the Gospel of Luke (Luke 6:6), it is noted which hand was affected, stating, \\"And his right hand was withered.\\" Anticipating that He might once more perform a healing on the Sabbath, they questioned Him, hoping that if He affirmed His ability to heal, they could use this as a justification to label Him a violator of the Sabbath. Their intent was to prevent Him from performing miracles and to discourage others from placing their faith in Him due to the healings He enacted. They preferred that their fellow humans remain afflicted by ailments rather than allow Christ to receive the honor He deserved."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"\\"Having a withered hand\\" likely refers to a form of local paralysis. It is noteworthy that this affliction is not connected to the presence of an unclean spirit in this individual, unlike the case of the deaf-mute mentioned later. Clearly, Christ and the Gospel writers made a careful distinction between ordinary physical ailments and those caused by the immediate influence of unclean spirits. They also recognized different methods of healing: ordinary miraculous cures versus the miraculous expulsion of demons. The question of whether healing could occur on the Sabbath reflects the elders' tradition, which, as illustrated in the Gospel of Luke, prohibited even acts of compassion like healing the sick on that day. The intent to \\"accuse Him\\" refers to bringing charges against Him in a local court, similar to the judicial assemblies mentioned in the scriptures, where He would be accused of violating Sabbath laws."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"There was a man present who had a withered hand, specifically his right hand. The scribes and Pharisees were observing the Lord closely to determine whether He would heal this man, hoping to find grounds to accuse Him of violating the Sabbath commandment. Their reasoning went as follows: a doctor, in order to restore health, must prepare remedies and care for the afflicted, which involves exertion and thus constitutes work. According to their interpretation, any work on the Sabbath was sinful, leading them to conclude that healing was prohibited on that holy day. They conveniently overlooked the fact that the Law does not forbid saving a life on the Sabbath; therefore, it is not sinful for a healer to assist the sick during this time. The Lord, exercising His divine authority, healed the afflicted man with just a touch and a word. Only the blind hostility of His adversaries could misinterpret His miraculous act as work in violation of the Sabbath. They challenged Him, asking, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” Their intent was to trap Him in a statement that could be used to slander Him. This was a cunning trap: if He replied that it was unlawful, they could accuse Him of being heartless; if He answered that it was lawful, He would appear to violate the Sabbath and could be denounced in the local courts of Palestine. Instead of responding to their inquiry, the Lord turned to the man with the withered hand and said, “Rise up and stand in the midst” (Luke 6:8). The man stood up and approached. Saint Chrysostom points out the compassion of the Lord, who called the man to the center, hoping that his presence would soften the hearts of the accusers. Yet, those hardened in malice seemed more intent on tarnishing Christ's reputation than witnessing the healing of the man. The Lord then posed a question to them: “I ask you, what is lawful on the Sabbath, to do good or to do evil, to save a life or to destroy it?” (Mark 3:4; Luke 6:9). Their own proverb states that one who can do good but does not is committing evil, and one who can save but refrains is effectively harmful. The Pharisees found themselves ensnared by their own arguments—they either had to admit their misunderstanding of the spirit of the Law or remain silent. However, silence was not their purpose in being there, nor in their relentless following of Jesus. They chose to remain quiet (Luke 6:9). But this silence did not protect them; the Lord promptly turned their attention to their own consciences, revealing that even in their mundane lives, they did not adhere strictly to their interpretation of Sabbath observance and often violated it for their own benefit."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Jesus had previously restored the health of a paralytic beside the pool on the Sabbath, leading to a discussion with the scribes and Pharisees regarding this event. Thus, when these religious leaders confronted Jesus upon seeing the man with the withered hand awaiting healing, questioning whether it was permissible to heal on the Sabbath, it is clear they were not the same scribes and Pharisees Jesus had addressed in Jerusalem. The scribes and Pharisees were prevalent throughout the Jewish communities; wherever Christ went, they pursued Him, though often not in unified groups. The emergence of John the Baptist with his message of repentance, followed by Jesus Christ, likely galvanized this faction of Jews opposed to Christ. They perceived a shared threat to their influence among the people, prompting them to act in unison as if they were in collusion. Consistently, they sought to accuse Jesus of violating the law, customs, and traditions. According to Mosaic law, such transgressions could warrant death, leading them to believe they might eliminate their accuser in the customary manner. They watched to see if Jesus would heal the man with the withered hand on the Sabbath, but it seems there was a moment of anticipation; likely, Jesus was instructing those present in the synagogue. The Pharisees could not bring themselves to directly inquire of Him regarding the legality of healing on the Sabbath, fully anticipating that such a question would draw Jesus' attention to the man and result in his healing, thereby breaching the Sabbath, which was exactly their intent."},{"author-name":"Lopuchin A.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c891400ee1341634d2276d_Lopuchin%20A.P..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"To illustrate the baselessness of the Pharisees’ animosity towards those they accused of violating the Sabbath, the Savior seized upon a fresh opportunity that arose in the synagogue of the nearby town. There, a man believed to be a bricklayer, who had suffered an accidental injury causing his hand to wither, implored Christ for healing, longing to be freed from the desperate need to solicit alms. His presence, along with his heartfelt plea, was widely recognized, leading the scribes and Pharisees to occupy the prominent places, their malicious gazes fixed upon Christ as they awaited His actions to use against Him later."},{"author-name":"Paul Matwejewski","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8969f5be0d592d5a10576_Paul%20Matwejewski.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"After providing an explanation to the scribes and Pharisees regarding the significance of the Sabbath, Jesus entered the synagogue on another Sabbath day to teach. There was a man present whose right hand had become shriveled. The scribes and Pharisees, eager to find grounds to accuse the Teacher who raised suspicions among the guardians of the law and the traditions of their elders, closely observed Him to see if He would again perform a healing on the Sabbath. Understanding their deceitful intentions, which they were quick to articulate in their insidious inquiry, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” Jesus knew that a negative response could be used to charge Him with lack of compassion, while an affirmative reply could be interpreted as a violation of the Sabbath."},{"author-name":"Bogolepow D.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"On a different Sabbath, Jesus was teaching in a synagogue. Present there was a man whose right hand was paralyzed. The scribes and Pharisees closely observed Him, hoping to see if He would violate the Sabbath by healing the afflicted man. Not only did they watch in silence, but as Matthew notes, they also directed a question at Him with the intention of provoking a response. The Lord then called the man with the withered hand to stand in the center (as recorded in Mark and Luke) and posed a question to the Pharisees, asking, \\"Which of you, having one sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out?\\" (Matthew). He further asked, \\"Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath, or to do evil? To save a life or to destroy it?\\" (Mark and Luke). Looking upon His adversaries (as noted in Luke), filled with anger yet saddened by the hardness of their hearts (as Mark describes), He commanded the man to stretch out his hand, and it was healed immediately.\\n\\nThe Pharisees, who had faced humiliation from previous confrontations with Jesus, experienced a particularly stinging defeat in this instance. Christ decisively refuted their assertion that healing should not occur on the Sabbath, doing so not only with His words but through the miraculous restoration of the man's hand. Subsequently, the Pharisees conspired among themselves to eliminate Jesus. They sought to ally with the Herodians, supporters of Herod's rule, as recorded by Mark. This collaboration illustrates the depth of the legalists' animosity toward Christ; the Herodians, as allies of a foreign dynasty, were despised by the Pharisees, who valued the law and their national identity. Yet, their opposition to a mutual adversary prompted them to unite forces against Jesus."},{"author-name":"Alexander Gorsky","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8884037c1e1c51e1332e2_Alexander%20Gorsky.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"During the next two Sabbaths, the significance of the Sabbath and the sanctity of its rest, which had not been fully addressed previously due to the Pharisees' new controversies, were clarified in greater detail. The first instance occurred when the Lord's disciples, traveling from Jerusalem and having no food, plucked some grain from a field as they passed through and ate it after rubbing it in their hands. The second instance took place during the complete healing of a man with a withered hand in the synagogue, accomplished solely through the Lord's word. This specific event occurred in Galilee. \\n\\nIn defending His disciples' actions and His own miracle, the Lord highlighted examples from holy men who had breached certain laws in times of necessity. He cited how David, while fleeing from Saul, requested the showbread from Abiathar and consumed it with his companions (1 Sam. 21:1). He noted that the Pharisees themselves broke Sabbath regulations by rescuing a creature that had fallen into a pit. Furthermore, even the priests in the temple could not adhere strictly to the commandment of rest since they performed sacrifices, and this applied even more to regular days. \\n\\nThe Lord pointed out that He was greater than the temple. Thus, in following this greater calling, the disciples did not transgress against the temple, which is merely a place of God's residence, governed by laws that are temporary. Moreover, the Lord reminded them of the words of the prophet: \\"I desire mercy and not sacrifice\\"—showing that compassion for the man with the withered hand was more significant than mere adherence to idleness on the Sabbath. We must recognize that the Sabbath exists for the benefit of humanity, not the other way around. It is a time for doing good, not for engaging in wrongdoing. Neglecting a good deed that could aid our neighbors falls under this same principle. Ultimately, the Lord reiterated His previous statement in Jerusalem that He, as the Son of Man, is also Lord of the Sabbath."}]}
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