Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 12:10

"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 (ASV)

The incident was noteworthy, and therefore it is mentioned with a “behold.” It was remarkable that so very soon a case occurred to bring up again the matter in dispute. Did the Pharisees bring the man with the withered hand into the synagogue so as to raise the question in a practical form? They went to the synagogue to indulge their bigotry and not to worship. It is to be feared that many in these days imitate them.

Before our Lord made any motion towards a miracle, they were at Him with what they hoped would prove an entangling question. “Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days?” He had claimed to be Lord of the Sabbath, and now they, with much show of fairness, submit a difficulty to Him, but it was with a base purpose. In the moral character of questioning, everything depends upon the motive. They did not ask that they might learn from Him, but that they might accuse him. They were trying to catch Him out, yet they gained nothing by their malicious craft.