The Man With the Withered Hand

Mark 3  •  3 min. read  •  grade level: 6
Listen from:
Mark 3
In the synagogue there was a man with a withered hand. The leaders watched Jesus to see if He would heal on the sabbath day. Often when one is working and prospering in the gospel or some other service, there are those who do nothing but watch and criticize. Those who are busy doing good, even in secular things, have no time to speak against another.
The Pharisees manifested hatred without a cause. Jesus asked the man with the withered hand to stand forth. He asked if it were right to do good on the sabbath day or evil-to save life or destroy it? But they held their peace. Looking on them with anger and grieved for their hardness of heart, He asked the man to stretch forth his hand and it was restored like the other. The leaders went away and took counsel how they might get rid of Him.
The Pharisees were legalists. Lest they violate the sabbath, they would rather have a person remain sick than be healed on that day. Also, they demanded of others what they would not do themselves. May we search our hearts lest there be in us the tendency toward legalism.
As Jesus and His disciples withdrew to the sea, multitudes followed Him, coming from many places as far away as Idumea. Because of the crowd He spoke to His disciples that He should have a small ship to speak from. As the people pressed on Him to touch Him, He healed many. What a Savior! Demons fell down before Him, acknowledging Him as Son of God, and were charged by Jesus to not make Him known.
The Disciples Ordained
Jesus called to Himself on a mountain those He would have to be His disciples. Twelve were ordained to be with Him, to preach, to heal and to cast out demons. Later, they were sent out two by two. The twelve were Simon who was surnamed Peter, James and John, to whom He gave the surname Boanerges (which means "the sons of thunder"), Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alpheus, Thaddeus, Simon the Canaanite and Judas Iscariot who betrayed Him.
After this they enter into the house, probably Jesus' house. Such a crowd gathered that Jesus and the disciples could not even eat. His relatives thought that He was out of His mind.
The scribes accused Jesus of casting out demons by the prince of the demons. Jesus answered that Satan cannot cast out Satan. A kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. Satan cannot divide against himself.
If one were to enter a strong man's house to spoil his goods, the strong man must first be bound, then his house could be spoiled. Jesus bound the strong man, Satan, in Mark 1:12, and now was able to deliver Satan's goods.
Jesus said that all sins will be forgiven a man (if the man repents), except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.
Old and New Relationships
Old relationships have been set aside to bring in new ones. It is no longer Israel by covenant, but those who do the will of the Father who are in the new relationship with God. 'Then said they unto Him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent." John 6:28,29.