Matthew 12:9-13

Nov 25, 2010 09:39 AM DONE

<a href="http://bible.cc/matthew/12-9.htm" >9</a>And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue:

<a href="http://bible.cc/matthew/12-10.htm" >10</a>And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.

<ul>

<li><a href="http://vws.biblecommenter.com/matthew/12.htm" >Vincent's Word Studies</a>

Is it lawful ? (εἰ ἔξεστιν)

The εἰ can hardly be rendered into English. It gives an indeterminate, hesitating character to the question: I would like to know if, etc.

</li>

</ul>

<a href="http://bible.cc/matthew/12-11.htm" >11</a>And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? <a href="http://bible.cc/matthew/12-12.htm" >12</a>How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.

<a href="http://bible.cc/matthew/12-13.htm" >13</a>Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.

<ul>

<li><a href="http://barnes.biblecommenter.com/matthew/12.htm" >Barnes' Notes on the Bible</a> Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand - This was a remarkable commandment. The man might have said that he had no strength - that it was a thing which he could not do. Yet, "being commanded," it was his duty to obey. He did so, and was healed. So the sinner. It is his duty to obey whatever God commands. He will give strength to those who endeavor to do his will. It is not right to plead, when God commands us to do a thing, that we have no strength. He will give us strength, if there is a disposition to obey. At the same time, however, this passage should not be applied to the sinner as if it proved that he has no more strength or ability than the man who had the withered hand. It proves no such thing: it has no reference to any such case. It may be used to prove that man should instantly obey the commands of God, without pausing to examine the question about his ability, and especially without saying "that he can do nothing." What would the Saviour have said to this man if he had objected that he could not stretch out his hand?</li>

<li><a href="http://gill.biblecommenter.com/matthew/12.htm" >Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible</a> Then saith he to the man,.... That is, after he had looked round about upon them, to observe their countenances; and what answer they would make to his arguments; and with anger for their inhumanity and cruelty; being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, i.e. their unmercifulness to their fellow creatures, and the stupidity and blindness of their minds, being ignorant of the Scriptures, and of the sabbath, the nature, use, and Lord of it; which things are observed by the Evangelist Mark; then, in a commanding authoritative way, almighty power going along with his word, he says to the man who stood forth before him, and the Pharisees,.. This was an instance of Christ's power; a proof of the lawfulness of healing on the sabbath day; and a rebuke to the Pharisees for their cruelty and uncharitableness. This man was an emblem of the inability of men to do anything that is spiritually good, and of the power and efficacy of divine grace to enable persons to stretch out their hands, and do things which they of themselves are not equal to.</li>

</ul>