Matthew 12:10

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Matthew 12:10 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “and behold, a man having a withered hand. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day? that they might accuse him.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

and behold, a man having a withered hand. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day? that they might accuse him.
Matthew 12:10 — American Standard Version

Context — Matthew 12

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
10and behold, a man having a withered hand. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day? that they might accuse him.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And behold, there was a man which had his hand withered, etc.] Or dry; the juices were dried up, the nerves and sinews contracted, so that it was of no manner of use to him: Luke says, it was his right hand, which was so much the worse; and means not only his hand, but the whole arm. Such a case is mentioned in the Talmud f726, “it happened to one, “w[wrz hçbyç, that his arm was dry, or withered. Jerom says f727, in the Gospel which the Nazarenes and Hebionites used, this man is said to be a plasterer, and so might possibly come by his misfortune through his business; and being a man that got his bread by his hand labour, the case was the more affecting. This account is introduced with a…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The account contained in these verses is recorded also in Mark 3:1-5, and Luke 6:6-10. Matthew 12:10 A man which had his hand withered - This was probably one form of the palsy. See Barnes Mt 4:24. Mark and Luke have mentioned some circumstances omitted by Matthew. They say that Jesus addressed the man, and told him to stand forth in the midst. He then addressed the people. He asked them if it was lawful to do good on the Sabbath day? This was admitted by all their teachers, and it could not be denied. They were therefore silent. He then appealed to them, and drew an argument from their own conduct. A man that had a sheep that should fall into a pit on the Sabbath day would exercise the…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“12:10 Does the law permit: Rabbinic tradition permitted healing on the Sabbath only if life was in danger. Since life was not in jeopardy, the Pharisees thought healing was not permitted.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“which: Kg1 13:4-6; Zac 11:17; Joh 5:3 Is it: Mat 19:3, Mat 22:17, Mat 22:18; Luk 13:14, Luk 14:3-6, Luk 20:22; Joh 5:10, Joh 9:16 that: Isa 32:6, Isa 59:4, Isa 59:13; Luk 6:6, Luk 6:7, Luk 11:54, Luk 23:2, Luk 23:14; Joh 8:6 Matthew 12:11”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification