A Controversy over Healing on a Sabbath

Matthew 12:9-21

Leaving from there, he entered their synagogue, and—look!—there was a man with a deformed hand. And they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” in an attempt to accuse him.

And he said to them, “Who of you, if you have a sheep that falls into a pit on the Sabbath, wouldn’t get a hold of it and pull it out? How much more important is a man than a sheep? Therefore, it must be lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”

Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And as he stretched out his hand, it was completely restored, identical to the other one. Then the Pharisees left and began to organize to implement their strategy to destroy him.

Knowing their plans, Jesus left. However, vast crowds followed him and he healed everyone, but required them to not publicize his action. Thus, the prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled, saying, “Look! My servant, whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit upon him and he shall pronounce judgment on the nations. He will neither struggle nor command. Neither will anyone hear his voice in the streets. He will not break a bruised reed nor quench a smoking flax wick until he brings justice to victory. And the nations shall trust in his name.”

Mark 3:1-6

And he entered again into a synagogue, and a man was there who had a deformed hand. And they watched him, to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath, seeking to accuse him.

And he said to the man with the deformed hand, “Stand up.” And he turned to them and asked, “Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath, or to do evil—to save life, or to kill?” But they wouldn’t reply. Looking around, he was angry and sad because of their hard hearts. So, he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out and his hand was restored as whole as the other.

And the Pharisees left and went straight to the Herodians to plan how to destroy him.

Luke 6:6-11

And it also happened that on the other Sabbath, he entered the synagogue and taught. And there was a man there whose right hand was deformed. And the scribes and Pharisees watched him to see if he would heal on the Sabbath, so they could lodge an accusation against him.

But he knew their hopes and said to the man with the deformed hand, “Get up and come forward.” And he stood up.

Then Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one thing. On the Sabbath, is it lawful to do good, or to do evil—to save a life, or to destroy it?”

And looking around to those in the room, he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand,” and he did so. And his hand was restored as whole as the other one. And they were filled with rage and argued with each other as to what they might do to Jesus.