On another Sabbath, he entered the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was withered.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Luke points out it was the right hand that was withered, subtly highlighting that this was the hand used for essential tasks and greetings, making the man's need and the miracle even more significant. This detail underscores the profound loss and the tangible impact of Jesus' healing power.
On another Sabbath, he entered the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was withered.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This is the second of two Sabbath encounters where Jesus' actions challenge the religious leaders' strict interpretation of the law. Following a dispute in the grain fields, Jesus is now teaching in a synagogue where a man with a visibly disabled right hand is present, likely hoping for healing. The stage is set for another confrontation about what is lawful on the Sabbath.
Why did Jesus choose the synagogue on the Sabbath to teach and to heal? It wasn't accidental; it was strategic.
This wasn't just any teaching session. Jesus entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, a day dedicated to rest and worship, and he was teaching. This was his chosen arena to confront prevailing interpretations of the Law. The presence of the man with the withered hand wasn't a coincidence; it was an opportunity Jesus seized to reveal God's heart for the people, even within the strictures of religious tradition. He wasn't just sharing knowledge; he was demonstrating the very nature of the Kingdom of God.
The text is specific: it's the right hand. Why does that matter, and what does it symbolize?
Luke specifically mentions the 'right hand.' In ancient culture, the right hand was often associated with strength, capability, and the ability to work and provide. A withered right hand meant a loss of power, a diminished capacity to function fully in society, and likely, a struggle for daily sustenance. This wasn't just a minor inconvenience; it was a profound affliction that impacted every aspect of the man's life. Jesus’ focus on this specific, debilitating condition underscores his deep awareness of human suffering and his mission to restore what was broken.
Imagine the tension in that room. Healing was happening, but some were already looking for fault. What does this reveal about faith?
The man with the withered hand clearly came with hope, likely seeking a miracle. Yet, the religious leaders present were watching Jesus, not with compassion for the suffering man, but with critical eyes, ready to accuse him of breaking the Sabbath law. This highlights a tragic contrast: a man’s desperate need met by divine power, happening in the very place meant for spiritual connection, yet met with hostility by those tasked with upholding God's law. It shows that true faith often flourishes even when surrounded by doubt and opposition.
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Understand the original words
shabbat · Hebrew Noun
The seventh day of the week, ordained by God as a day of rest and holiness. In the Gospels, it became a focal point of conflict between Jesus and religious leaders regarding the proper interpretation of Sabbath laws.
synagōgē · Greek Noun
A Jewish house of worship and instruction where the Torah was read and taught. It served as a central institution for religious life in Jewish communities during the Second Temple period.
xēros · Greek Adjective
A term describing a state of incapacity, dryness, or paralysis of a body part. Biblically, physical infirmities are often contrasted with the restoration and wholeness brought about by the kingdom of God.
This event occurred during Jesus' ministry in Galilee, a time marked by both growing crowds eager for his teachings and healings, and increasing scrutiny and opposition from religious leaders concerned about his Sabbath practices.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus' Public Ministry in Galilee
Jesus begins his public ministry, teaching, healing, and gathering disciples throughout the region of Galilee. This period saw increasing crowds and growing opposition from religious leaders.
Early 1st century AD
Sabbath Controversies Emerge
Jesus' teachings and actions on the Sabbath, particularly his healings, began to cause friction with the Pharisees and scribes, who accused him of breaking the Mosaic Law.
Early 1st century AD— this verse
Jesus Teaches in a Galilean Synagogue
Jesus frequently taught in synagogues across Galilee, a central place for worship, community, and religious instruction for Jewish people.
Early 1st century AD
Pharisees Observe Jesus Closely
Religious authorities, particularly the Pharisees, were actively watching Jesus' activities, looking for reasons to condemn him and challenge his authority.
This passage describes the same event, highlighting Jesus' confrontation with the Pharisees who were watching to see if he would heal on the Sabbath, setting the stage for the confrontation.
Mark 3:1Mark's account also presents this healing, emphasizing Jesus' presence in the synagogue and the immediate challenge posed by the onlookers.
Isaiah 35:5This prophecy foretells a time when the blind will see, the deaf hear, and the lame leap, a promise fulfilled in Jesus' ministry, including healings like this one that restored function to a disabled limb.
Leviticus 19:18While not a direct parallel, this verse calls for love of neighbor, a principle Jesus upheld by healing the man, directly contradicting the Pharisees' focus on legalistic observance over compassion.
Luke 14:1Another Sabbath healing occurs in Luke's Gospel, showing a pattern of Jesus challenging the religious leaders' interpretation of the Law through acts of mercy and restoration.
pulpitLuke 6:6: "And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered."
Verse 6. - And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered. This was the second part of his sabbath teaching. The first had taken place in the open country, in one of the corn-fields near the Lake of Gennesaret. The second was given in a synagogue p…
jfbLuke 6:6-11: "And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered."
Lu 6:6-11. Withered Hand Healed.(See on [1579]Mt 12:9-15 and Mr 3:1-7.)
Luke points out it was the right hand that was withered, subtly highlighting that this was the hand used for essential tasks and greetings, making the man's need and the miracle even more significant. This detail underscores the profound loss and the tangible impact of Jesus' healing power.
This is the second of two Sabbath encounters where Jesus' actions challenge the religious leaders' strict interpretation of the law. Following a dispute in the grain fields, Jesus is now teaching in a synagogue where a man with a visibly disabled right hand is present, likely hoping for healing. The stage is set for another confrontation about what is lawful on the Sabbath.
This is the second of two Sabbath encounters where Jesus' actions challenge the religious leaders' strict interpretation of the law. Following a dispute in the grain fields, Jesus is now teaching in a synagogue where a man with a visibly disabled right hand is present, likely hoping for healing. The stage is set for another confrontation about what is lawful on the Sabbath.
"On another Sabbath, he entered the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was withered." — Luke points out it was the right hand that was withered, subtly highlighting that this was the hand used for essential tasks and greetings, making the man's need and the miracle even more significa…
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Last reviewed October 2026